Open AccessThe shape of the transverse arch in high heels while standing
Author(s) -
Hala Zeidan,
Mirei Kawagoe,
Yuu Kajiwara,
Kyoko Harada,
Yurika Nishida,
Keisuke Yamada,
Rika Kawabe,
Junpei Yokota,
Chiaki Yamashiro,
Yu Odake,
Mariko Takeda,
Naoki Doi,
Kaho Negoro,
Naohiro Matsumura,
Tappei Morino,
Clémence Kiho Bourgeois Yoshioka,
Chang Yu Chen,
Tomoki Aoyama
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
plos one
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.99
H-Index - 332
ISSN - 1932-6203
DOI - 10.1371/journal.pone.0233958
Subject(s) - transverse plane , heel , plantar fascia , arch , anatomy , calcaneus , medicine , orthodontics , weight bearing , foot (prosody) , materials science , structural engineering , surgery , plantar fasciitis , engineering , linguistics , philosophy
High heeled shoes have long been worn in society and they are known to cause biomechanical imbalances to not only the foot, but the whole musculoskeletal system. This study aims to show the detailed changes that happen to the shape of the transverse arch of the foot in high heels, using two different inclination degrees. Methods 68 women participated in this study. Two custom-made high heels were made with inclinations of 15 degrees and 30 degrees (cm). A weight-bearing ultrasound was used to assess the coronal view of the transverse arch in standing. ANOVA and Tuckey tests were used to compare the results between 0 degrees, 15 degrees and 30 degrees inclinations. Results The transverse arch height was slightly increased as the heel height increased (0DI-15DI: p = 0.5852 / 15DI-30DI: p = 0.395 / 0DI-30DI: p = 0.0593). The transverse arch length (0DI-15DI: p = 0.0486 / 15DI-30DI: p = 0.0004 / 0DI-30DI: p = 0.1105) and the area under the metatarsal heads (0DI-15DI: p = 0.0422 / 15DI-30DI: p = 0.0180 / 0DI-30DI: p = 0.9463) significantly decreased as the heel height increased. Discussion The main changes were viewed in the 30 degrees inclinations compared to 0 degrees inclination. When the toes are dorsiflexed in high heels, it stimulates the Windlass mechanism which in turn stiffens the plantar fascia and adducts the metatarsal heads, while the soft tissues shrink in response to loads. Conclusion High heels affected the shape of the transverse arch even in short term standing, and these effects increased as the height of the heel increased.