The MBT Academy has completed a survey to show that high heel-related injuries cost £29 million a year in the UK alone!
They may grace the feet of A-list celebrities (and Trend Hunters) who propel them into new heights of glamour, but high heels are quite literally crippling, both physically and financially. Stilettos, wedges and even strappy sandals may look glamorous, but wearing high heels or ultra flats for too long actually costs the UK £29 million in operations and medical procedures to combat the painful damage they cause to feet.
Every year, women’s poor shoe habits are leading to a record number of related medical treatments, from bunion removal to toe straightening and even cosmetic surgery, which can cost sufferers up to £4,000 per visit.
They recommend a more balanced “shoe diet,” which involves wearing super-high heels sparingly, just as dietitians recommend eating sweets infrequently.
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- High Heel-related Injuries
- Opportunities for innovative products and services that help prevent or treat high heel-related injuries.
- Shoe Diet
- Disruptive innovation opportunities in creating new products and technologies for a more balanced and healthier shoe usage.
- Cost of Shoe-related Medical Treatments
- Potential for disruptive innovation in the healthcare and medical industries to reduce the cost and improve the treatment of shoe-related medical conditions.
Where This Applies
- Fashion
- Opportunities for fashion brands to design and promote comfortable and stylish shoes that prioritize foot health.
- Healthcare
- Opportunities for healthcare providers and medical professionals to develop innovative treatments and procedures for shoe-related injuries and conditions.
- Cosmetic Surgery
- Potential for cosmetic surgery clinics to offer specialized procedures for foot and ankle enhancement and correction.
