Introduction: High heels have been worn for centuries and despite numerous warnings about their harmful effects, they still remain extremely popular. Research indicates that regular wearing of high-heeled shoes affects the musculoskeletal system and causes discomfort and ankle sprains. Biomechanical factors also change during walking, including changes in the lower limb loads, increased foot pressure, and altered gait pattern. Purpose: The aim of the research was to determine the impact of high-heeled shoes on pain in the feet and lower back and the consequent problems and/or limitations in daily activities. Methods: Descriptive method with review of existing literature and empirical research method were employed. The study sample consisted of 14 respondents who completed a three-part questionnaire, addressing demographics, lower back and foot pain, and activity limitations due to wearing high-heeled shoes. The Microsoft Office Excel 2016 was used to produce tables and graphically display the results. The data were statistically analysed by the IBM SPSS 26. Results: Most of the respondents reported that wearing high-heeled shoes caused more problems in their feet and daily activities than in the lower back. The average time of wearing high heels was 7 hours a day. The overall average score of the Modified Foot Pain Index Scale is 17/100 and the average score of the Roland-Morris questionnaire is 3/21. The results show a statistically significant moderately positive correlation (rs = 0.584; p = 0.028) between body weight and activity problems due to foot pain and the activity limitation assessment (rs = 0.588; p = 0.027). In addition, there is also a statistically significant strong positive correlation between the overall score of the Modified Foot Pain Index Scale and the score of the Roland-Morris questionnaire (rs = 0,695; p = 0,006). Discussion and conclusion: Wearing high-heeled shoes in overweight people limits and causes difficulty in their daily activities due to foot pain. The discomfort caused by the use of high-heeled shoes can be decreased by orthopedic insoles. Moreover, pain and deformities caused by wearing high-heeled shoes can be alleviated by using appropriate orthoses or splints.
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