High Priced Heels?

We have a tradition here in D.C. on the night before Halloween. Its not as PG-rated as decorating your apartment with cobwebs, dancing to Thriller in the dark, making ghosts out of tissue paper, or carving jack-o-lanterns into your pumpkin. We have the High Heel Drag Race!

That's right, 50 Halloween costumed drag queens race in high heels down the 17th street strip. I have never seen this in the four years I have lived in DC, so I thought it was time to check it out. Needless to say, it was hilarious and fun time. Luckily no one broke a nail, lost their wig, or smeared their mascara in the heat of competition.

This event got me thinking about how wearing a high heel would affect the wearer.

What high heels does to the foot and ankle complex:

• Calf muscle is shortened ( contracted) as toe is always in a pointed position
  
  
• No arch support for the foot
  


• Decreased ability to absorb ground reaction forces
  

This all may result in:

• Increased stress on the ankle, knee, hip, and up through entire kinetic chain
  


• Muscle imbalances from a tight and overactive calf complex
  


• Foot will look to flatten out (inversion) or arch up (eversion)

• Increased rotational forces on the knee joint

• Decrease in power output for jumping, running, jumping, and changing directions

• Injuries to the foot, ankle, knee, and/or hip

Minimize Your Risk:

• Foam roll the calf
  


• Stretch the calf
  

Now don't get me wrong, I'm not telling you to throw away your favorite pair of stilettos and sport something more orthopedic . I appreciate all pain and discomfort ladies (and after tonight, some gents) have to go through to wear heels. I think it is well worth it and looks great, but know the consequences of your fashion.