Foot problems waiting to happen: High-heeled shoes can make a dramatic fashion statement, but can also lead to dramatic foot problems.Courtesy Frank C. MullerYears ago on Saturday Night Live, Billy Crystal played a recurring character – Fernando – who loved to say, "It's better to look good than to feel good."

That might be a common attitude with women who choose to wear high-heeled shoes, but foot doctors have some words of caution. They share their concerns in this Washington Post article, which includes a pain-inducing photo of what a foot in high heels looks like when X-rayed. In a high enough heeled shoe, the ball of the foot can be at a 90-degree angle to the rest of the foot. Ouch.

Here's the quick list of foot problems high heels can cause:
• Calluses and corns, caused by weight being borne by a small amount of skin on the foot's bottom.
• Inflammation of connective tissue around the foot.
• Capsulitis, a painful inflammation of the joints where the toes attach to the foot.
• Pinched nerves, where pointy high heels squeeze the toes.
• Stress fractures, or cracks in the bones of the feet.

If the conditions become severe, the incredible pain can be treated with a corticosteroid shot. And doctors can also prescribe lower, wider shoes to relieve the pain.

Still want to keep wearing those hot shoes? Doctors say the best compromise is to wear lower shoes when you're primarily walking and keep the high platforms for less strenuous activity. But to be completely safe and foot healthy, doctors still recommend not wearing heals that are more than two inches high.

Does any of this information change your feelings about fashionable footwear?

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