Foot Problems that Impact Women More than Men
International Women’s Day, March 8, exists for three reasons:
- to honor the accomplishments of women everywhere
- to raise awareness about discrimination against women, and
- to drive change toward gender equity.
At Clifton Foot & Ankle Center, we celebrate all women who walk through our Fairfax County podiatry office doors. We pledge to treat them with respect. But we’re also here to tell you that there can be vast differences between men and women when it comes to their foot health.
It’s the shoes
Women’s feet are more vulnerable to certain problems largely due to one factor: their shoes. Women tend to wear shoe styles with narrow toe boxes that cramp their toes. And certainly, people who spend a lot of time wearing high heels experience more problems than those who don’t.
Here are some of the foot issues that arise from tight, narrow shoes and high heels:
- Neuromas – a neuroma is an area of thickened nerve tissue that forms from repeated irritation. Neuromas, including Morton’s neuroma, cause burning and tingling in the toes or a feeling that you’re walking with a pebble in your shoe.
- A bunion is a joint deformity at the base of the big toe. The big toe turns inward toward the lesser toes, and a bony bump appears at the joint. The tendency to get bunions is inherited, but tight shoes and heels can make them worse.
- Heel pain usually stems from plantar fasciitis, which is inflammation of the thick ligament that connects your heel to your toes.
- Sprained ankles involve overstretched or torn ligaments with the complex ankle joint. They can occur when high heels or other improper footwear cause a person to lose their balance.
Another factor
Overuse is another reason women seek treatment for foot pain. Athletes like runners and basketball players are more prone to overuse injuries like stress fractures, ankle sprains, neuromas, blackened toenails, and plantar fasciitis.
Whether your foot pain comes from bad shoe choices, too much activity, trauma, or unknown causes, let our board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Kenneth R. Wilhelm, evaluate it. Contact us online or call our Centreville office at (703) 996-3000 for an appointment with Dr. Wilhelm.
