On the right foot

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: Remember Devil Wears Prada? How the women at Runway slipped out of their sombre sandals into killer stilettos (fit for Cindrella) just before ‘devil’ Meryl Streep walked into office. Clearly, if it were not for the devil, they may not have worn them at all. Or so it seems. But for most others wearing fashionable pumps, wedges or spiked-heels comes prior to comfort. They are ready to bear swollen toes and suffocate their tender feet as long as they feel they are looking good. Men are no different — thanks to pointed-toe shoes that have become a rage in formal wear.

“One of the most common problems that people approach us with is Hallux Valgus — the tendency of the greater toe to grow outward. People also complain of a bony swelling on the inner side of the toe...or bunions. Narrow toe boxes often cause these problems. That applies to women as well. As for the heels, anything beyond two-inches is a problem. Be extremely careful with them. Very high heels can affect the alignment of the spine,” says consultant orthopaedic Harshvardhan Hegde of Artemis Health Institute, Gurgaon. “At times people wearing high heels trip and even end up fracturing their ankle. Some even complain of chronic back pain,” says Dr T Shringari, orthopaedic, Paras Hospitals.

These, and other problems like corns, Achillies Tendonitis, curly toes, calluses etc are often caused due to sheer negligence. Most people wouldn’t know that initial symptoms of ailments like diabetes, arthritis, nerve and circulatory disorders appear first in the feet. And high heels are not to be blamed always. “If you are not wearing the right fit, even the flat, flip-flop kind of shoes can give you trouble. Thin soles can exert a lot of pressure on specific points in the feet and that can be as painful,” says Shringari.

Little wonder then that there is an industry thriving on foot problems. Did you know that Dr Scholl invented the first corn pad way back in 1918? Today his merchandise includes massaging gel insoles and shock-absorbing cushions! “People with flat feet pick up arch cushions. Scholl’s other products like corn and callus filer and odour-control foot powder are equally popular,” says Vipul Chaturvedi, merchandiser, Shoe Tree.