An expert explains exactly how heels are messing up our feet

However glorious wearing heels makes us feel, we can all admit they hurt our feet like hell.

While we might begin a night out with a ‘no pain no gain’ mentality, by the end we’re hobbling to get from our cab to our front door – and this is if we’re not pressured to wear them all day at work too.

So it’s barely surprising that they’re messing up our feet.

But how, precisely? We asked Highgate-based podiatrist Emma Lincoln to break it to us.

‘High heels can certainly damage the feet if worn daily and for long periods of time,’ she told metro.co.uk.

‘Pointy high heels will significantly increase the pressure on the balls of the feet and squeeze toes together.’

Yep, we’ve all dealt with this pain before. But the issue goes beyond that of just grinning and bearing it, as Emma says that it can lead to far more serious issues such as ‘nerve pain, corns and blisters’.

And the scariest-sounding consequence? ‘Damage to the foot structure’, including bunions – deformity of the base joint of the big toe – and hammer toes; a toe that’s bent permanently downwards.

Which she says can only be corrected with ‘surgical intervention’.

And for those of us that swear by a chunky, well structured heel, we were right – they are better for us, as Emma says that the shape of a shoe does make a big difference.

‘Wearing a very thin stiletto heel will increase the chances of ankle sprains and other soft tissue injuries, as well as alter your posture which can lead to knee and lower back pain,’ Emma explains.

‘Thicker and lower heels will make the foot more stable, and put less pressure on the ball of the foot.’

But if you insist on wearing heels Emma suggests at least inserting silicone pads onto them or wrapping silicone plasters around your heels and toes to reduce friction.

And, of course, always bring a pair of flats with you so that you can change into your heels at the last minute.