Wearing high-heeled shoes increases the foot arch angle inducing measurable changes in the musculoskeletal system.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The study determined the effects of females wearing high-heeled shoes on the lower extremity musculoskeletal system and somatometry. METHODS: The study was carried out with 136 females between 18 and 45 years old. The first group consisted of 66 females wearing 5 cm or higher high-heeled shoes, at least 5 hours a day, three days a week, and at least one year. The second group consisted of 70 females wearing shoes with heel height less than 5 cm for at least one year. RESULTS: Differences in length parameters may result from the narrow and pointed toe of the high-heeled shoe. These shoes distribute the pressure on the caput ossis metatarsi I and compress the foot in this area. Differences in anthropometric measurements show that females wearing high-heeled shoes have more slender and smaller foot structure. CONCLUSION: These findings show that regular wearing of high-heeled shoes causes changes via the increased foot arch structure. These alterations result from regional, racial, gender, heel height, shoe type (shape), and shoe habits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]