Why you should lay low on high heels

Actress and Bigg Boss inmate, Veena Malik, stands tall in her 5 inch stilettos, but aping her and wearing them 24/7 may result in some serious problems, including Knee osteoarthritis, Ankle Sprain and Bone Surgery, warn Orthopaedic surgeons

Fashionistas may swear by heels, putting up with leg cramps, ankle strain and foot aches, considering it a small price for looking glamorous, but orthopaedic surgeons across the city are slamming the habit, claiming it could cause serious leg problems in the long run. Advice that Bigg Boss inmate Veena Malik should probably heed, as she insists on wearing heels even while doing domestic chores.



The actor should take notes from Maharashtra top cop, D Sivanandan's wife Lalitha Sivanandan, who recently 
survived a heels scare.

High hopes
Lalitha routinely opted for conservative tall platform shoes when accompanying her husband for all major social functions, but had to pay the price for it by putting up with excruciating pain in her feet.
She said, "Last year at my daughter's wedding reception, I had to stand for more than three hours in my high heels. However, after a point, I could not take the pain and had to leave in the middle of the function,"
She adds that the pain persisted even after the wedding, and that she was unable to go for her morning walks. 
Mobility consultant Chaitanya Shah of Orthofit, Kemps Corner, said, "Like all Indian women, Lalitha was also ignoring her feet."

He added, "I saw the pressure points that were activated when her feet touched the ground. When I placed an orthotic raise pad just before the pain region to avoid that area touching the ground it made her feel much better. I gave her Orthotic sandals for her casual and home use and Vasyli prefabricated custom Orthotic insoles for her sneakers to ensure that she did not experience any pain." 

Happy feet
"After examining my feet, Chaitanya blamed my poor footwear for my problems. It was not that they were inexpensive, but they were inappropriate, he explained. I had no idea that my incorrect footwear was the reason for my problem," says Lalitha.

High on heels
Pakistani actress and model Veena Malik is head over heels in love with her stilettos. The Bigg Boss girl neatly lines them up in front of her bed, and spends most of the day in them.

4 ways to save your sole

Invest in good heelsBuy a good pair of shoes that support and give your feet room. Make sure your heels are in good condition and are not worn out. When buying heels, look for a rubber sole for better shock absorption and reasonable heel height (1 to 2 inches work best).

Invest in leather shoes Leather shoes last longer and conform better to your foot shape.

Stretch your legsWhenever you wear heels, try stretching exercises to avoid soreness at the end of the day.

Treat yourself to a foot rubFoot massages and pedicures can do wonders for tired feet. Even simply soaking your feet in warm water can help you feel much better.

Complications that can result from wearing heels:
According to mobility consultant Chaitanya Shah of Orthofit, women face several problems as a result of wearing high heels for long hours. These include:
Knee osteoarthritisA painful, degenerative joint disease characterised by the breakdown of the cartilage  surrounding the knee. The Achilles tendon becomes shorter and tighter.
Ankle SprainIf a woman loses her balance, a sudden twist can sprain ligaments between bones.
Muscle imbalance, bone deformities, knee and ankle joint problems, bunions and hammer toes

Tightening of calf muscles
High heels prevent the back of leg from stretching, as a result the muscle may become shorter and tight over time.
Peripheral NeuropathyLack of sensation under the feet due to nerve damage.