7 Healthcast: High Heel Pain

It's a love hate relationship with heels , no matter how much they hurt, women grin and wear them. Well it's time to save your soles.

Alison Cohen, patient
"I was getting this burning sensation."

Alison Cohen saved hers by heading to foot surgeon Suzanne Levine. Alison was treated with what Dr. Levine calls "pillows for your feet."

Suzanne Levine, foot surgeon
"I inject a filling agent... the same filler that your use in your face and cushion the ball of your foot."

Alison Cohen, patient  
"It doesn't hurt. It was pretty easy."

Alison's foot ultrasound now shows plenty of padding.

Alison Cohen, patient  
"Heels give me confidence and they're just, they look better."

To feel better there are other tips besides injections. Dr. Levine says insoles can also help, but she says beware of the ones at the pharmacy, sometimes the material is not high quality."

Also, there is such a thing as too high.

Suzanne Levine, foot surgeon
"If you're going to wear heels all day, you should probably look for 21/2, 3 inches at most. Try to switch off during the day."

Doing foot exercises will also keep you happily on your toes, just simple movements.

Suzanne Levine, foot surgeon
"Picking up pencils, pressing, pretending that your foot is on a gas pedal up and down, heel stretches."

Most of all, don't ignore the pain, or you could be in for bigger problems.

Suzanne Levine, foot surgeon
"Low back pain, heel pain, pain under the ball of the foot, stress fractures, lateral ankle sprains, knee problems, hip problems."

Injuries like that could leave you on the heels of a long recovery. And always be sure to wear proper fitting shoes so that you don't face problems down the road.

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