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Not only high heels are to blame for female platypodia

Alexey Portnov, medical expert
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024

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25 May 2012, 08:47

Flat-footedness today is quite common. Especially often it occurs among women over 40. Among the main reasons for it, most experts refer to obesity, diabetes and high heels.

In particular, the latter leads to a gradual stretching of the tendons of the posterior tibial muscle, located near the ankle. As a consequence, the arches of the foot (transverse and longitudinal) are lowered, and the shape of the foot itself also changes. There are pains in the feet.

However, as the results of a recent scientific study conducted by experts from the University of East Anglia show, the cause of the stretching of the tendons lies far not only in high heels.

The main cause of flatfoot in middle-aged and older middle-aged women is proteolytic enzymes, which are activated by this age. It is these enzymes, according to scientists, weaken and destroy these muscles of the tendon, resulting in the lowering of the arch of the foot.

"Our discovery will set the direction for the development of drugs aimed at changing the activity of proteolytic enzymes, which will be an important step in the treatment of flatfoot. These drugs will be an excellent alternative to surgery, "said Dr Graham Riley, commenting on the results of his research.

Note that in addition to flat feet, changes that occur with tendons cause other painful conditions. As for the development of the noted medications, this, according to scientists, will take at least 10 years.

So, dear ladies, having gained patience, we will wait for a new medicine for flat feet and buy ... Sandals with high heels.

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