A study conducted by Stanford University's BioMotion Research Laboratory cautions that wearing high heeled shoes may increase the risk of knee osteoarthritis (OA).
"Effects of high heel wear and increased weight on the knee during walking" was published in the March issue of the Journal of Orthopaedic Research. The study examined 14 healthy women who walked with flat athletic shoes as well as 1.5 and 3.3 inch heels, both with and without a body vest that provided additional weight.
According to the article's abstract, "Many of the changes observed with increasing heel height and weight were similar to those seen with aging and OA progression. This suggests that high heel use, especially in combination with additional weight, may contribute to increased OA risk in women."
The findings are part of the BioMotion Lab's ongoing research into knee osteoarthritis, one of three key areas of study in the department.
