High-heeled shoes have been a topic of continuous, heated discussions for decades. They are designed to elevate the heel above the toe to give the illusion that one’s legs are longer and more slender in appearance. Heels are also a marker of numerous social implications that range from fertility symbols to marking one’s “class” and level of sophistication.
High-heels are designed to slant the foot forward, while forcing the toes together in an upward position. With such an un-natural position of the foot, this increases the stress on the forefoot and toes – while putting our feet at risk for development of bunions, hammertoes, blisters, tight achille’s tendons and even neuroma’s over time. Low back pain may also result.
Since Suri Cruise first was spotted in public in her child-sized kitten heels earlier this fall, a debate was sparked throughout the internet as well as in parent’s magazines over whether they could present a risk to the child’s growth.
Growth plates in a child are fragile, and can be easily damaged. When stressed, they are more amenable to injury than the tendons/ligaments surrounding them. They can be damaged by falls, which you have increased risk for due to instability with use of high heeled shoes. Not only this, but the sheer stress of “squishing” the toes in a shoe may actually cause damage to the growth centers of the bones in the feet… On average, a female’s growth plates are usually open until age 13-15, and males typically close by age 17.
What do kids need on their feet?? Good, supportive shoes that allow them to run, jump and play…
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