Effects of long-term use of the high-heel shoes on the plantar pressure pattern in women's feet

The foot is the only anatomical structure that contacts the ground during walking and resists against the applied forces at the distal part of the lower extremity chain. An abnormal movement as well as high peak forces cause injuries to the feet and their soft tissues due to improper force distribution, which might lead to extensive foot disorders. Too much pressure and/or unequal force distribution is a major factor in foot disorders. Since, nowadays, many women routinely use high-heel shoes, its routine use may cause significant effects on their skeletal structures. The current study aimed to study foot pressure patterns in women using high-heel shoes.
The current observational-analytical study implemented case-control technique including two groups of 35 participants. The experimental group had a minimum of two years history of routinely wearing a high-heel shoe while the control group had to have the experience of wearing a normal heel shoe. A Zebris pedobarograph system was used to study the foot pressure in both static and dynamic statuses with bare foot.
The results showed a significant percentage of force only at the anterior part of the foot of participants who used to wear high-heel shoes (P The findings showed clear foot pressure changes at the feet of individuals who had a background of routinely wearing high-heel shoes. These people apply more forces on their forefoot even when they do not use high-heels. These abnormal force changes might result in producing callosity, foot corns, and sores at their feet soles.