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High heels can do wonders for everyone but not so much for little kids. Fashion sense aside, these killer shoes can actually pose health-related issues from temporary effects to even lifelong consequences to a child's body.

A little girl wearing purple high heels

Image source: Jill Wellington from Pixabay

Pinoy MD discussed the negative health effects of wearing high heels for kids with the help of Dr. Nesti Panopio, an orthopedic surgeon at De Los Santos Medical Center.

Bunion or hammer toe

Starting with the feet, Dr. Panopio explained that kids could acquire foot deformities like bunions or hammer toes because of high-heeled shoes.

“Simulan natin sa paa. Pwede silang magkaroon ng tinatawag nating bunion or hammer toes.

“Nagkakaroon ng changes 'yung kanilang muscles, skin, at saka 'yung buto, depende doon sa kanilang manner of wearing the high heels.”

Easy ways to prevent bunions

Chronic Leg Pain Syndrome

As for the legs, high heels can lead children to suffer Chronic Leg Pain Syndrome at an early age.

Dr. Panopio said, “Pwede magkaroon ng Chronic Leg Pain Syndrome na kung saan sa parating pagtigas ng mga muscles o kalamnan doon sa legs, sumasakit ito every once in a while.”

Scoliosis

Too much wearing of high heels can also lead to scoliosis.

Medical News Today explained that scoliosis “causes the spine to curve to one side.” It was also indicated in the article that “It can appear at any age, but it often presents from the age of 10 to 12 years, or during the teens, but infants can sometimes have symptoms.”

According to Scoliosis SOS Clinic, “High-heeled shoes can put your spine under a lot of stress.”

Arthritis

Prolonged wearing of high heels can result in arthritis or swelling of the joints in their knees, hips, and spine.

A report from BBC News says that “high heels can alter the body's posture and increase pressure on the foot, ankle and knee joints, increasing the risk of osteoarthritis.”

Anatomic Changes

Dr. Panopio revealed that wearing high heels for kids can cause anatomic changes that will have possible negative effects on their body growth.

In this context, children can acquire muscle contracture in the skin. He said, “Dahil sa pagtigas chronically ng kanilang katawan, o parte na kung saan nape-pressure 'yung kanilang paa, ankle, at legs dahil kakasuot ng high heels, hindi na po ito bumabalik sa position.”

In the long run, muscle contraction will affect the everyday living of the child.

“Kadalasan po, even 'yung mga bata kahit ayaw na nilang magsuo ay hindi na nila masuot 'yung proper shoes dahil matigas na po ang kanilang paa at 'yung ankle nila. Lagi na silang nakatingkayad,” he added.

Caution and care

A child's feet

Image source: Megan Menegay from Unsplash

While wearing high heels can be fun and fashionable, Dr. Panopio reminds the parents to always be careful and caring towards the health of their child.

“Very important po na pagkatapos na pagkatapos nilang tanggalin 'yung high heels shoes na kanilang sinusuot, ay dapat po ang mga magulang ay inii-stretch nila 'yung paa at 'yung ankle - taas, baba - para po lumuwag ulit 'yung kanilang mga kalamnan na pwedeng nagsisitigasan through time,” he said.

Better yet, it is important that parents should not encourage their kids to wear high-heeled shoes because of their long-term effects on their bodies.

“Pahalagahan natin 'yung edukasyon na lagi nating sasabihin sa ating mga anak ano ang importansya na pagsuot ng tamang sapatos sa ganitong edad,” Dr. Panopio concluded.