3D Scan Shows What Happens to Feet in High-Heels [Video]

Researchers at Royal National Orthopedic Hospital in North London are now using a latest 3D scan to see what happens to feet in high-heels.

The technology helps doctors see the entire foot and ankle in three dimensions and pinpoint the exact place that bears the bodyweight in real-time.

"There is an established link between high heels and foot pain, but for the first time we are able to see the effect of such shoes on feet in real time," said Andy Goldberg, consultant orthopedic surgeon at RNOH.

Any shoe that is tight or uncomfortable leads to problems. Adding high heels in the equation just makes it even worse as the entire weight of the body falls on the balls of the feet. The disproportionate weight adds pressure to the sesamoids , which are the small bones under the big toe.

Toes in high heels are often squashed together, leading to unusual foot shape. Constant stress on toes can lead to clawing of the toes.

Previous research has also shown that wearing high heels for a long time (5 cm heels at least 40 h/wk for two years) could alter the flexibility of muscles and affects the way a person walks. Women wearing high heels for a long time even complain of muscle fatigue and risk strain injuries. A similar study also found that high heels change the way women walk, which may explain the higher incidences of osteoarthritis in knee-joints in women compared to men.

The research team revealed that over 80 percent female patients said they could rarely find shoes that fit their feet and about 57 percent said that they experienced severe foot pain due to uncomfortable shoes.

 "Traditionally, we have used 2D X-rays to diagnose foot problems but this only gives us limited information. The new scanner allows us to clearly see how the foot and ankle looks and functions inside shoes fully weight bearing, and this will help us treat patients earlier to prevent long term problems, and influence the design of new and better footwear in the future," Goldberg said in a news release.