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Research work slippers and high heels massively damage our feet
Although they bring us through life, too many people are still rather careless with their feet. Children often have too small shoes, women squeeze into uncomfortable high heels and seniors run around in house slippers all day long. Feet is often much needed. This can have painful, in extreme cases, even fatal consequences.
We very much believe in our feet
In the course of our lives, the feet are really much expected: In too small children's shoes it comes to pinched toes, women stöckeln with pumps through the office life and seniors wear plaid slippers without a firm hold. This often has dire consequences for our health. Problems such as foot pain or calf pain are often due to inappropriate shoes. In some cases, however, doctors warn of alarmism. In a message from the news agency dpa inform different experts on the subject and give tips on what to watch out for.
When shoes damage feet. Image: ASK photography - fotolia Children in too small shoes
Already in childhood it starts. The little ones play and romp often without toe freedom. According to experts, only very few children wear shoes of the correct size. "About two-thirds of children's shoes do not fit, by far the largest part is too small," said Robert Rödl, chief physician for pediatric orthopedics, deformity reconstruction and foot surgery at the University Hospital Münster. As a rule, shoes would be put on a season. For fast-growing children's feet consistently matching treads would have to be bought far more often. "Otherwise, the footwear is half the time too small," said the professor. However, according to Rödl, parents would not have to worry about that. According to him, there are no consequential damage from too small shoes. Even lowering or bending feet in children under the age of six are no cause for excitement, it is growing. "Children themselves have no problems, but the feet look unfavorable and thus adults have problems." According to the experts, it is only advisable to make an appointment with the orthopedist if misalignments persist.
High Heels: Sexy but unhealthy
Even in adulthood, too little attention is paid to the health of the feet. Although pointed shoes and high heels look great and are considered sexy, but the feet do not do well. "If I walk permanently on toes, I provoke a foot deformity," said Professor Karl-Dieter Heller, Vice President of the Professional Association of Orthopedics and Traumatology. According to older data from scientists at the Orthopedic University Hospital Tübingen, up to 23 percent of people between the ages of 18 and 65 have a hallux valgus, a malposition of the big toe, also called ball toe. Often this also leads to the fact that the little toes do not have enough space and move upwards. As a result, they press against the shoe and hurt. Excessively high heels can also trigger severe hammer toe pain, which in some cases may even require surgery.
Foot gymnastics and barefoot running
In addition, researchers stated years ago: high-heeled shoes damage the Achilles tendon. The scientists from the universities of Manchester and Vienna found that it became thicker and immobile in some pump wearers. Therefore, some women have pain as soon as they are on flat soles. According to Heller, the feet can also be challenged by the permanent wearing of insoles, so that the muscles are not sufficiently trained. However, not every change in the foot is cause for concern. "The deformation of the foot is a normal aging process that affects a great many people," says Heller. However, if pain occurs, there is a foot damage. Foot exercises train the foot and help as long as it does not hurt. Barefoot walking also prevents later foot damage. Therefore, children should be allowed to walk around often without shoes. And that's not wrong with adults. "It makes sense to put on only stockings in the apartment."
Falls by badly fitting slippers
For seniors, false shoes can sometimes even become a deadly danger. While slippers are comfortable and easy to put on, they still offer no support. This allows the wearer to fall more easily. "One can definitely assume that the risk is increased," said Kilian Rapp of the Clinic for geriatric rehabilitation at Stuttgart Robert Bosch Hospital. Together with colleagues, the expert examined over 70,000 falls in about 530 nursing homes in Bavaria last year. It showed: "Falls in slippers have more often led to serious injuries." Rapp assumes that older people in house slippers may topple with greater force, so that those affected had to hospital more frequently. This can have serious consequences for seniors. "Falls are one of the biggest problems in old age." Broken bones are particularly feared. According to the North Rhine Medical Council, about one-third of elderly patients die within one year after inpatient treatment of a hip fracture, around one in two patients no longer regains their original mobility. That is why an EU working group on fall prevention warns seniors about walking around in socks, high heels or badly fitting house slippers without fixation. (Ad)