by: kelly lee

The Painful Problem

Who doesn’t love the way they look in heels? Sky-high stilettos and even cute little kitten heels give our legs and backsides shape and that little lift we’re often looking for. But boy, can they come with a pretty price tag…and we’re not talking dollars, here. We’re talking foot pain.

The American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society reports that 90 percent of patients who require foot surgery in the U.S. are women. Why? Women’s shoes just aren’t going the distance. Those pretty Prada mules could be causing corns, calluses and even deformities and back problems. So what’s a girl to do if she wants to look good and feel good?

Former orthopedic surgeon turned shoe designer Taryn Rose offers a solution: trendy shoes that are specially designed for comfort. “As a surgeon in training, I spent most of my 14-hour days standing. I wore clogs in surgery. To see patients in the office, I had to wear professional clothes. I could never find shoes that were both appropriately dressy and comfortable." Once she started training as an orthopedic surgeon, she discovered just how much damage her awesome looking shoes were causing.

Eighty-two percent of women report having foot pain, while 72 percent report one or more foot deformities. There’s always been a stigma against women having big feet -- smaller feet have a reputation for being sexier and more alluring. Perhaps that explains why women who wear size 8 or larger have more pain and deformities than women with more petite feet. A whopping 90 percent of women wear shoes one or two sizes too small. What’s causing women to squeeze into shoes that just don’t fit? Lack of knowledge mainly.

A common myth is that shoes require a "break-in period." Not so says the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. With time, a foot may push or stretch a shoe to fit, but this can cause foot pain and damage. Also, many women don’t realize that your size changes as you get older. During pregnancy, the average foot increases by a half-size, so if you wore a 7 before having two kids, you more than likely need to be wearing at least an 8 after. The American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society reports that 75 percent of women neglected to have their foot measured in more than 5 years and, when measured, 60 percent noted that their size had increased. And, just like with clothing, you shouldn’t select a shoe by size alone. A size 10 in one brand or style may be smaller or larger than the same size in another brand or style. So buying those irresistible stilettos online might be worth resisting, after all.

Why are women feeling the need to squeeze? Twenty-seven year old Jesse Torres targets the need to please. “Women are ridiculous when it comes to shoes. Women wear shoes for other women. Guys don’t notice that stuff.” Thirty-year-old Andrew Fish concurs, “I see women walking down the street here in LA in heels all the time and it just looks so painful. It conjures up images of Chinese foot binding, and that’s just not sexy.” Klaus Moser, 26, says, “I hate it when my fiancé wears heels because she can never walk for more than a block without getting upset that she’s in pain. It totally puts a damper on the night. She’s happiest, and therefore sexiest, when she’s comfortable.” That may be, but there are times when it’s just more appropriate to wear heels, or you just want to look and feel sexy, so what’s a gal with Carrie-fever to do?

The Sole-ution

Luckily shoe designers are starting to address this painful problem. Taryn Rose used her background in orthopedics to launch a career as a shoe designer. The result has been not only fulfilling for her but beneficial for style mavens in search of the ultimate shoe: sexy and comfy. Her line includes everything from heels to boots to flats and flops. They’re a bit pricey (ranging from $150-$450), but if you can afford them your feet will agree it's worth it.

And shoe designers like Aerosoles, Dr. Scholl's and Easy Spirit, who once endured Grandma-like reputations, are becoming the sole focus of comfort-seeking fashionistas as well. Easy Spirit uses anti-gravity technology (nitrogen-filled microbubbles that act as shock absorbers), materials that give such as lycra and leather uppers, and extra foam lining, allowing feet to go the distance.

All shoes are built around a model of a foot called a “last,” and the majority of shoe makers use a flat last, which doesn’t incorporate the curves of a woman’s foot. Easy Spirit shoes, however, are built around a contoured last, that way the shoe has a more natural fit. And their designs range from classic pumps to trendy boots and more. With a very moderate price tag ranging from $20-$120, you can’t go wrong.

Even über-comfy shoemaker Birkenstock is launching a new line that focuses on style. The Architect Collection premiered this summer and includes ultra-feminine finds like flower-adorned sandals in vibrant colors like red, baby blue and pink. Heidi Klum has also teamed with Birkenstock to release a collection that includes Birks embellished with denim, rhinestones and studs. And Dr. Scholl's has recently made a comeback with a new line of ultra-stylish heels and flats. So really, there's no excuse to be hobbling around in pain -- or out of style.

How To Find the Perfect Fit:

•Measure your feet in the evening, when they’re at they’re largest.
•Your feet expand when bearing weight, so stand while your feet are being measured.
•Find shoes that most closely match the contours of your feet.
•Allow 3/8” – 1/2” of room past your longest toe.
•There should be a firm grip of the shoe to your heel. Your heel should not slip as you walk or run.
•The shoes you buy should be fitted to your longer and wider foot.
•Low-heeled shoes (one inch or lower) with a wide toe box are the ideal choice for women. An ample toe box that can accommodate the front part of the foot is as important as the heel in determining fit.

A Foothold on the Facts:

•Nine out of 10 women are wearing shoes that are too small for their feet.
•Eight out of 10 women say their shoes are painful.
•More than 7 out of 10 women have developed a bunion, hammertoe, or other painful foot deformity.
•Nine out of 10 women's foot deformities can be attributed to tight shoes.
•High-heeled, pointed-toe shoes can cause numerous orthopedic problems, leading to discomfort or injury to the toes, ankles, knees, calves and back.
•Most high heeled-shoes have a pointed, narrow toe box that crowds the toes and forces them into an unnatural triangular shape. These shoes distribute the body's weight unevenly, placing excess stress on the ball of the foot and on the forefoot.
•The height of the heel makes a dramatic difference in the pressure that occurs on the bottom of the foot. As heel height increases, the pressure under the ball of the foot may double, placing greater pressure on the forefoot as it is forced into the pointed toe box.
•Even low-heeled shoes can cause problems if they don't fit well. Years of wearing too-small shoes can lead to permanent deformities.