Put your feet first, urges arthritis charity in winter awareness week
Women should save their stilettos for special occasions and wear "sensible" shoes to avoid developing painful foot problems, says medical research charity the Arthritis Research Campaign (arc).
As part of its Feet First winter awareness campaign (January 3-10 2004) sponsored by Seven Seas Cod Liver Oil, the charity is stressing that wearing bad shoes plays a part in causing foot problems such as bunions, calluses and claw toes, as well as back pain and even osteoarthritis of the knee in later life.
Nine out of ten women wear shoes smaller than their feet, and by the age of sixty, 70 per cent of women will have developed osteoarthritis, which can lead to deformities and pain in their feet.
And at this damp, chilly time of year chilblains, often caused by tight shoes, are a painful reminder that our feet need plenty of TLC.
arc is suggesting that women should keep the heel size of their shoes down to two inches wherever possible - and only wear high heels occasionally. The charity is also urging people of all ages to wear trainers more often, because they provide excellent cushioning and support for the foot.
"We cram our feet into shoes that are too tight, too high or too pointed. Sports people kick balls with them; dancers go en pointe on them. We walk, run, and jump on them, expecting our feet to act as shock absorbers for the rest of our body - in short, we subject them to enormous pressure," explains arc podiatrist Tony Redmond.
"Our feet take real pounding over the years but most of us neglect them until something goes wrong. That's why people are being urged to treat their feet with care - and reap the benefits when they're older."
He adds:" High heels are a great fashion accessory emphasizing the shape of the calves and bottom but as far as feet are concerned, high heels are a disaster.
"They shorten the Achilles tendon, causing restriction in ankle movement, and jam the toes into the front of the shoe, which can cramp and deform them. We know there is a link between high-heeled shoes and foot disorders in some people, and wearing high heels can also cause back pain - and may even be implicated in the increasing number of women developing osteoarthritis in the knee."
arc, which is funding research dedicated to the foot and ankle at the University of Leeds, is encouraging people to pay greater attention to their foot care during its awareness week, and to seek the advice of a podiatrist if necessary.
People with arthritis often develop related foot problems. For example, eight out of ten people with rheumatoid arthritis find their feet are affected by deformities or painful inflammation, and after the age of 60, some 70 per cent of women will have osteoarthritis in their feet. People with over-flexible joints (known as hypermobility or double-jointedness) can also have aches and pains in their feet.
A free booklet on Feet, footwear and arthritis is available on 0870 850 5000, at info@arc.org.uk , or here. For more information on feet and shoes go to www.feetforlife.org.
