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Journalism of Courage
Ballet flats — or ‘bellies’ as they are colloquially known — are the new IT item to have this season. From Zendaya and Jennifer Lawrence to Kareena and Karisma Kapoor back home, both Bollywood and Hollywood celebrities are embracing this Y2k trend with their arms wide open as if they’re Shahrukh Khan.
As chic as these thin-heeled shoes may seem, they bring a wealth of problems for your feet. Though it’s often their heeled counterparts that get a bad name, ballet flats are just as problematic, if not more. So, you might want to rethink buying those oh-so-tempting ones you’ve been eyeing.
According to Dr Lokesh A Veerappa, consultant, orthopaedic & robotic joint replacement surgery, Manipal Hospitals, these shoes can cause pain and gait problems. “There is no arch support or cushion for the foot, which leads to pain in the heel and the forefoot, along with inflammation of the plantar fascia, called plantar fascitis.” The plantar fascia is a band of tissue, called fascia, that connects your heel bone to the base of your toes.
Dr Ramani C.V, consultant, plastic reconstructive and cosmetic surgery, Manipal Hospitals, agrees.
He specified that ill-fitting shoes are more problematic as “they can cause injury to nails, reduce stability, cause friction in the skin, and lead to calluses, corn, etc.” This point was also alluded to in an article on The Conversation by Kristin Graham and Helen Banwell, Lecturers in Podiatry, University of South Australia, and Saravana Kumar, Professor in Allied Health and Health Services Research, University of South Australia.
“There’s no definitive evidence to show ballet flats are generally harmful to foot health in the long-term. But ill-fitting ballet flats can be a problem,” they wrote.
This is because the toes being squashed together in the toe box can cause outgoing great toe deformity or Hallux valgus, explained Dr Veerappa.
“We combat this problem with physiotherapy and arch development exercises,” he added.
Even after this, if you do choose to wear ballet flats, here are some ways you can combat those disadvantages and keep your feet safe.
Dr Ramani elaborated on some ways you can do this, if you wish to wear ballet flats.
• Choosing the proper size and fit
• Using a small heel rather than a flat heel
• Using the flats that can offer support for the heel
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