High-Heeled Shoes Are Bad For You

Proof of the negative side effects from women wearing high heeled shoes. Jimmy Choo shoes may look great, but extreme high heels can be physically dangerous
"As for the heel, honey, it’s got to be high. The transformation is INSTANT. It’s the coup de théatre.” ~ Manolo Blahnik, shoe designer
Many women enjoy buying and wearing high heeled shoes, and many men enjoy the way they make women look. However, it seems as if heel heights have only increased in recent years to include shoes that have eight-inch heels. But there are several news reports that suggest that the regular and long term wear of these extreme heels can have very unhealthy side effects.
Physical Ailments from High Heels
A 2008 article in Woman's Day magazine asks, "Are Your Shoes Killing You?" According to this article, high heels can cause a variety of physical disorders such as: joint damage, bunions, compression problems, and deformities. A 2010 article by Korean physicians indicates that scientifically, high heels may cause permanent knee damage to the women that wear them.
High Heels - The New Corset?
In a 2008 article by Sally Feldman in the New Humanist called "The Heights of Madness", the high heel is compared to Victorian corsets: uncomfortable and extreme clothing meant to provide visual appeal. Feldman also calls the high heel a "battleground in sexual politics." Feldman talks about how heels are getting even higher. "And all the signs are that heels are going even higher. Antonio Beradi’s Terminator sandals, at 14cm, have sold out already. Christian Louboutin’s black ponyskins, created for Roland Mouret, teeter up to 16cm, while Louis Vuitton’s statement for next autumn is a court shoe with a 17cm heel." Some fetish shoe websites feature high-heels as high as eight inches. Compensation? You decide.
Poor Shoe Choice Causes Accidents
A 2008 article in The Telegraph says that four out of five women admit to having worn inappropriate footwear while driving. While this can include flip flops, imagine trying to drive a manual transmission automobile while wearing stilettos or extreme high heels. Out of 750 surveyed, seven admitted to having accidents or near misses because of their poor choice in footwear.
In a 2010 book entitled Bad Shoes and the Women Who Love Them, author Leora Tanenbaum writes, "In all seriousness, I suggest that pointy-toed, high-heeled shoes should come with a warning printed on the shoe box. These shoes are a health hazard. Wearing them for prolonged periods on a regular basis may lead to deformity, pain and ugly feet. Your achilles tendons may shorten, making it impossible to wear flats even if you want to. Wear with caution."