Suffering for Fashion: Rethink Shoe and Bag Choices

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons offers tips to avoid pain and injury from shoes and heavy bags

ROSEMONT, Ill., Oct. 7, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Our choice of shoes and bags may be placing unnecessary stress on joints and muscles that over time may cause serious pain or injury.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20131007/DC93384) 

"Large purses and briefcases can cause shoulder, neck, elbow and back pain, and even serious injury," said San Francisco orthopaedic surgeon and American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) spokesperson Sara L. Edwards, MD. "And wearing poorly fitting shoes, especially those with high heels, platforms or pointed toes, can result in bunions, hammer toes, corns, knee and lower back pain and other conditions. I've seen many women with ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) injuries from wearing wedge sandals and high heels. I've also seen men with foot conditions from ill-fitting dress or work shoes."

Fortunately, being fashionable doesn't have to hurt. Members of the AAOS, the doctors who treat muscle and joint pain and injury, offer the following tips for avoiding shoe and bag related pain and injury.

Rethink your purse, briefcase or backpack.

• Pack lightly and only carry what is essential for the day. Do you really need to bring your laptop computer to and from work every night? Is it essential to transport a hard-copy of that 300-page report? Do you need to carry a large purse AND a briefcase? In general, your handbag should not exceed 10 percent of your body weight. This means a 150 pound person should carry no more than 15 pounds.
• When packing your briefcase or large purse, pack heavier items low and toward the center.
• Do not carry a heavy briefcase, tote or purse for long periods of time; if you must, wear your purse or bag over your shoulder (not in the crook of your arm which can strain the elbow muscles and joints) and switch sides often.  If possible, carry your bag diagonally over the opposite shoulder and hip.
• If using a backpack, make sure it has two padded and adjustable shoulder straps. Choose one with several compartments to secure various-sized items. Slinging a backpack over one shoulder does not allow weight to be distributed evenly, which can cause muscle strain.

Buy and wear the right shoe.

• Women who walk long distances or frequently get on and off buses, trains or trolleys should not wear a shoe with a heel higher than 2 1/4 inches. If you want to wear high-heel shoes at the office, consider wearing more comfortable shoes while walking to and from public transportation or the parking garage. Keep your high-heeled shoes at work to minimize what you carry to and from the office each day.
• Try on new shoes (both the left and the right) at the end of the day. Your feet normally swell and become larger after standing or sitting during the day.
• Make sure the shoes fit. Ask the salesperson to measure the length and width of both feet.  Sizes vary among shoe brands and styles. In addition:
  • There should be 1/2-inch space from the end of your longest toe to the end of the shoe.
  • Your toes should not feel pinched or cramped. You should be able to wiggle them freely.
  • Most high heeled-shoes have a pointed, narrow toe box that crowds the toes and forces them into an unnatural triangular shape. Over time, this can cause the foot to take on the shape of the shoe causing deformities like hammer toes and corns.
  • There is no such thing as a "break-in period." With time, a foot may push or stretch a shoe to fit, but this can cause foot pain and damage.
• Shoes that lace or buckle, have Velcro or some type of strapping mechanism, provide more support to your arch. A shoe with a removable insole is helpful so that you can add an orthotic or more cushioned insole if needed.

Keep your feet fit

• Routine foot and leg stretching exercises, such as rolling your foot over a tennis or golf ball or stretching your legs and feet before you get out of bed, can strengthen muscles and alleviate pain, especially as you age.
• After a long day of walking or standing, elevate your feet and legs to relieve pressure.
• Pay attention to changes in your feet.  If you notice calluses, blisters or localized swelling after wearing certain kinds of shoes, consider changing your footwear choice.

Learn more:
Shoes: Finding the Right Fit
Tight Shoes and Foot Problems
Footwear Guide: OrthoInfo.org

Orthopaedic surgeons restore mobility and reduce pain; they help people get back to work and to independent, productive lives. Visit ANationInMotion.org to read successful orthopaedic stories.

Newsroom.aaos.org is your source for bone and joint health news, stats, facts, images and spokesperson interview requests. 

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SOURCE American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons