Effects of duration of wearing high-heeled shoes on plantar pressure

In the present study we investigated the effects of different durations of using high-heeled shoes on plantar pressure and gait. A questionnaire survey and dynamic plantar pressure measurements were performed in 20 control females and 117 females who had worn high-heeled shoes for a long time. According to the duration of using high-heeled shoes (as specified in the questionnaire), subjects were divided into a control group and five groups with different durations of use (i.e. <2 years, 2-5 years, 6-10 years, 11-20 years and >20 years). Parameters, including peak pressure, impulse and pressure duration, in different plantar regions were measured with the Footscan pressure plate. The 2-5 years group had smaller midfoot contact areas for both feet and higher subtalar joint mobility, while the 6-10 years group had larger midfoot contact areas for both feet and prolonged foot flat phase during gait. The peak pressure and impulse under the second and fourth metatarsus were increased with the prolonged wearing of high-heeled shoes, and the pressure and impulse under the midfoot were substantially reduced in the 2-5 years group. The findings suggest that long-term use of high-heeled shoes can induce changes in arch morphology: the longitudinal arch tends to be elevated within 2-5 years; the longitudinal arch tends to be flattened within 6-10 years; and the forefoot latitudinal arch tends to collapse in more than 20 years.