High heels linked to bone and knee joint problems

Regularly wearinging high heels has been linked to joint degeneration and knee osteoarthritis - neither of which is considered to be appealing.

A new study examined the effects of wearing different types of heels on the bones and joints in the leg. Using high-tech measuring equipment, researchers were able to record the actual physical forces exerted on the foot and knee when wearing heels.

Study author Danielle Barkema selected three different heel heights - flat, two inches, and 3.5 inches - and had 15 women complete walking trials. She found that the height of the heel can alter the way we walk -such as slower speeds and shorter stride lengths - as well as increasing the force exerted on the inner side of the knee.

"This means that prolonged wearing and walking in heels could, over time, contribute to joint degeneration and knee osteoarthritis," Ms Barkema said.

Effect of high heels on body posture

The study also found that wearing heels - especially those two inches and higher - alters body posture by changing joint positions at the ankle, knee, hip, and trunk, which can create strain on the lower back.

"Visually, it's quite apparent that somebody's posture is altered when wearing high heels," Ms Barkema said.

"We noted those changes in posture as well as various joint angles, such as the knee and ankle angle. The most dramatic change occurs at the ankle."

The posture high heels create is alluring, but this study shows that wearing high heels can create a wealth of problems later on.

Research from the study will be presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Biomechanics.

This article was published on Tue 3 August 2010