Beautiful fashion shoes are an essential companion that every woman cannot be without. The more pairs and styles you have, the more confident you feel in your daily work and routines. However, did you know that wearing fashion shoes, although stylish and attractive, if not hygienic for your feet, can be a risk factor causing women to easily develop plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendon degeneration? Both of these conditions significantly impact daily life, causing pain with every step, making life difficult, and in some cases, recovery may take years depending on the severity caused by improper foot use. Therefore, choosing hygienic shoes and knowing how to properly care for your feet is an important matter that every woman should not overlook.
Why are fashion shoes related to plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendon degeneration?
Plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendon degeneration are common conditions because we use our feet constantly, which can lead to wear and loss of flexibility, resulting in stiffness, inflammation, and pain. The shoes we wear to protect our feet and enhance our appearance can compress or cause discomfort to the feet to some extent. Therefore, wearing inappropriate shoes regularly for a long time increases the risk of developing plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendon degeneration, especially for women who tend to wear various fashion shoes more than men. The reasons why women’s fashion shoes can be harmful to feet and quality of life are as follows:
- High heels, which enhance appearance, actually cause the lumbar spine to arch excessively, leading to back pain when worn for long periods.
- Wearing high heels reduces the need for the Achilles tendon to stretch continuously because the heel and knee are closer together. When removing high heels and walking, the tendon tightens more than usual, increasing the risk of plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendon degeneration.
- Wearing high heels or fashion shoes with narrow toe boxes for long periods can deform the feet. Most beautiful women’s fashion shoes squeeze the front of the foot, causing toe deformities. Regular use gradually changes foot shape, contributing to plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendon degeneration.
- Most women’s fashion shoes have soles that are too thin and unsuitable. Good shoes typically have three layers: the layer in contact with the foot, the outer layer touching the ground, and a middle layer that absorbs and distributes weight during walking, running, or jumping. Most women’s fashion shoes lack this structure, causing excessive impact forces on the feet, making bones, tendons, joints, and muscles work harder and wear out faster.
- The insole should ideally match the foot shape, which varies among individuals—some have flat feet, some have high arches, and others have normal arches. Most fashion shoes are not designed to fit these variations, increasing the risk of foot problems when the insole does not support the foot properly.
How to choose shoes to avoid plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendon degeneration?
To minimize the risk of plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendon degeneration, it is recommended to wear fashion shoes as little as possible since they cause foot pain and deformities. High heels should be worn only when necessary. If unavoidable, foot exercises should be done to keep calf muscles flexible and reduce the risk of these conditions. The following are recommendations for choosing appropriate shoes to avoid plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendon degeneration:
- Choose shoes at least half a size larger than your foot because feet tend to swell during the day. Wearing shoes that fit too tightly can cause discomfort, blisters, and pain.
- When trying on shoes, wear them as long as possible, at least 10-15 minutes, and try walking, running, jumping, or performing activities as you would in real use. This helps reflect how suitable the shoes are for you. Simply feeling that the shoes fit when trying them on can often lead to discomfort, tightness, blisters, or inability to wear them after purchase, resulting in wasted money or foot injury that increases the risk of plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendon degeneration.
Plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendon degeneration are not life-threatening diseases but cause pain and suffering that prevent normal living and reduce work efficiency. Therefore, paying attention to shoe selection is important. Although women may not be able to avoid wearing high heels or fashion shoes often, they must closely care for their feet to prevent risks that could damage their quality of life later. If you experience persistent foot pain, heel pain, or ankle pain that does not improve and hurts when walking, you should consult a doctor immediately for diagnosis and treatment to restore foot health and regain comfortable, happy mobility in every step as soon as possible.
—
Dr. Chakorn Rimchala
Orthopedic surgeon specializing in foot and ankle surgery
Phyathai 3 Hospital
Tel. 02-467-1111 ext. 3100 and 3112
Phyathai Call Center 1772
