High heels make your legs look great. That's the good news. The bad news is that as you age, those pointy-toed stilettos can cause a host of painful problems. Over time, your feet widen and the pads on the soles become thinner. When that happens, and you keep cramming your tootsies into your Jimmy Choos (or affordable knock-offs), you're setting yourself up for a date with Dr. Scholl. Of course you may also have other issues that are making your feet hurt, such as diabetic neuropathy. However, even when shoes are not the primary culprits, switching to styles with proper fit and support is important. You don't have to give up your beloved pumps and platforms altogether, but consider saving them for special occasions.
Chances are, though, that you already have one or more of the footwear-induced problems that can make getting around an agonizing proposition. Here are the top ten, along with treatments to put the spring back in your step.
Corns and calluses
Symptoms: Thickened, hard areas of skin can develop as a result of friction from a tight shoe or when high heels make your foot slide forward.
Solutions: Use corn pads with "doughnut holes" or create your own "pontoons" by custom-cutting pieces of moleskin. Do not use OTC medicated pads or liquid corn removers. The salicylic acid that is the active ingredient can cause infections, especially if you have diabetes. Instead, soak your feet in warm water to soften the skin and then gently remove layers of hardened skin with a washcloth or pumice stone. Never try to cut off your corns or calluses.
Toenail problems
Symptoms: Pressure from your shoes can be a factor in creating ingrown nails, but cutting your toenails too short can contribute to the problem. Nail fungus may also develop.
Solutions: Soak your feet at least once a day in warm water and apply an OTC antibiotic cream. If you see significant redness or any discharge, call your doctor. You may need antibiotics for an infection. Your doctor may also perform a procedure to lift the nail or even remove part of it.
Hammertoe
Symptoms: This is a condition in which the toe curls at the middle joint. The protruded part may push against the top of your shoe.
Solutions: Simply wearing bigger shoes could be all that you need. However, in severe cases surgery may be the best option.
Bunions
Symptoms: These are enlarged bony bumps at the base of your big toes. At first they may not bother you but eventually they can really hurt. Tight shoes will make them worse.
Solutions: Bunion protectors can relieve the pressure or you can simply tape the affected area. Padded shoe inserts are helpful, too. If pain becomes unbearable, a surgical procedure called a bunionectomy is probably necessary.
Tightened Achilles tendons
Symptoms: In spite of the mythological "Achilles heel" that signifies weakness, this tendon is actually the strongest soft tissue in your body. When you wear heels all the time, the tendon can shorten so much that you have trouble pushing off when walking in flat shoes.
Solutions: Gentle stretching exercises can get your tendon back to normal. The easiest one is to place your hands flat on a wall, bend one knee slightly, and step back with the other foot. Press your heel toward the floor and hold for the count of 10. Release for the count of 5 and repeat. Start with 5 repetitions and build up to 10. Another good stretch is to put a tennis ball under the ball of your foot and keep your heel on the ground. You can also simply sit on the floor with your legs outstretched and repeatedly point and flex your feet.
Haglund's deformity
Symptoms: This is a bony enlargement on the back of your heel surrounded by inflammation. The condition often runs in families but high heels exacerbate it.
Solutions: OTC acetaminophen can reduce the inflammation and ease the pain. Other than that, you really are a candidate for giving up the high heels pretty much for good.
Morton's neuroma
Symptoms: This is a nerve tissue growth that causes sharp and burning pain as well as stinging and numbness.
Solutions: Along with OTC painkillers, try an ice massage. Freeze water in a paper cup and roll it over the affected area. Also, take a break from weight-bearing activities for a week or two so the problem can resolve itself.
Metatarsalgia
Symptoms: This is the official name for pain in the ball of your foot. The cause is usually heels high enough to shift your weight so far forward that your metatarsal area is taking all the punishment.
Solutions: Buy shock-absorbing metatarsal pads and – you guessed it – switch to lower heels. At home in the evening, soak your feet in ice water. OTC painkillers help, too.
Plantar Fasciitis
Symptoms: When the band of tissue across the bottom of your foot gets inflamed, you experience stabbing heel pain -- especially first thing in the morning before your muscles and joints warm up from activity.
Solutions: Most sufferers use a night splint to stretch the foot and calf as they sleep. During the day, stretching exercises help, including those done with a resistance band.
Stress fractures
Symptoms: Little cracks in your foot can result from the pressure of shoes or from activities such as jogging or jumping rope.
Solutions: You will probably need to wear a walking boot or even use crutches while the fractures heal. This typically takes about six weeks. There is nothing you can do to rush the process.
