Love wearing high-heeled pumps? It's smart to take regular breaks. Research from the University of East Anglia in the UK shows that frequent, prolonged use of high heels can lead to flat feet.
Women who walk and stand in heels more often face a higher risk, which explains why flat feet are more common in women than men. The good news? Effective solutions are emerging.
Proteins
Experts believe flat feet develop when foot tendons slacken. Beyond high heels, certain naturally occurring proteins influence tendon strength. Over time, the foot's arch can collapse, causing pain and mobility issues. Heels offer insufficient support, weakening tendons further and contributing to hip, back, and knee problems, osteoarthritis, and hammertoes.
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Treatment Outlook
Encouragingly, UK researchers indicate these findings could pave the way for a targeted drug to counteract the problematic proteins. This is a major breakthrough, though experts estimate at least 10 years before it's available.
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