Walking in Stilletto Shoes

[Vasquoy]

I used to be able to walk in 5 inch heels all the time and never thought twice about it. I dislocated my knee a few years ago and have had to wear flat shoes since.

Now when I wear heels, I am fine ust standing about but the second I start walking I end up with excrutiating pain and burning in the balls of my feet. Even a short walk can cause it. I seem to have forgotten how to walk in them!!!!

Does anyone have any tips from how to drop my foot properly, how to balance my weight, painkillers, pads etc etc.

BTW I have tried Scholl Gel Pads and they are next to useless.....

[China Doll]

Well if they're causing you this much pain you probably shouldn't wear them at all Vasquoy but if you're anything like me, that'll have gone in one ear and out the other so....

For a start, practice at home. Stand up straight, look directly ahead and it's heel down first then toe. Obviously when you're walking you don't think heel/toe but you have to make sure that you're practised in the heel going down first or else you'll have no support. If you do toe first then you'll be doing that sort of rocky walk that I've seen women do which is unattactive. Walk with confidence.

Also, pay attention to the heels you're wearing. I have a few stillettos which are deceptive. They look like a long thin heel but if you look at the top bit attached to the shoe it's actually quite wide and provides support. Often the heels I wear are no where near as high as people think they are. (Look at the shoes the ladies wear on Come Dancing and you'll see what I mean).

Always know where it is you're going and what you're liely to do there. A killer pair of stillettos will look wonderful at a dinner party or formal dinner where you'll be spending most of the night sitting down but if you're out for a night on the tiles then see the previous paragraph.

But honestly, if they're really hurting you that much, kitten heels and wedges might be the way forward if you really don't want to be without a bit of extra height.

[LaughingGirl]

I think with me, it's an age thing I am 57, can't wear heel's any more, perhaps your around my age as I know lot's of women around the same age, I never see them wearing high heels, I would look like Dick Emery, if I was to wear them now, ha ha I just go by style and a bit of comfort.

[stonekicker]

it may be that you are simply out of practice at wearing them. iknow that your muscles/ligaments/tendons etc. adjust to the type of footwear that you don and if you haven't worn any for a while its not surprising that they are complaining! try wearing graduated heights of heel (kitten, mid length, high and then stilletto) over a period of time to see if this helps - however, it may be that when you damaged your knee, further soft tissue damage occurred. this would require physio and sensible strengthening exercises to rectify and would have to be initiated by your gp. it is more likely to be this if you have other problems with your leg, such as when bending or going up/down stairs and walking for long periods. hope you get your super sexy shoes back on soon - the things we ladies put ourselves through, eh?!!!