Hallux valgus among sales promotion women wearing high heels in a department store

Abstract

Background: Wearing high heels for an extended period of time can cause several pathological conditions in women’s feet, one of such is the hallux valgus (HV), as shown by a number of cross-sectional studies. This study aims to evaluate the incidence of HV among sales promotion women and to know the association of the high heel shoes with the severity of HV in that population. Method: This study used comparative cross-sectional design between two groups, wearing high heel and flat shoes; sales promotion women who work for at least 1 year were recruited as subjects by means of purposive sampling and were given questionnaires, and then physical and radiological examination of the foot were performed to detect any HV and its severity. Result: Incidence of HV is 25.25% (25 of 99) among subjects who were wearing high heel shoes and 10.87% (10 of 92) for those who were wearing flat shoes. Subjects wearing high heel shoes are 2.77 times (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.25–6.15; p = 0.01) more at risk for developing HV than those who wore flat shoes. The incidence of HV increases with age (p < 0.05). Those who have been working for >4 years are 5.2 times (95% CI: 1.95–14.31) at more risk for developing HV than those who have been working for ≤4 years (p < 0.001). The duration of wearing shoes per day, the type of toe box, and body mass index are not statistically significant with HV (p > 0.05). The incidence of HV increased among overweight and obese subjects (p > 0.05). The severity of HV in subjects was mostly mild to moderate. Conclusion: The incidence of HV is higher among sales promotion women who wear high heel shoes than flat shoes. Age and working experience are also related to the development of HV. Factors that affect the severity of HV cannot be shown in this study.

Global prevalence and incidence of hallux valgus: a systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…1). A total of 44 papers [9–52] were included ( n= 186,262,669). These epidemiological studies came from five continents and 17 different national regions (Table 1).…”

Health Disparities Among Workers With Standing Position and Limited Restroom Access: A Cosmetics Saleswomen Study in South Korea

“…24,25 In addition to standing at work, sales workers usually wear high heels while working, per department store regulations, which could be a risk factor of hallux valgus. 26 A review of health problems related to prolonged standing suggests some potential interventions, including provision a sit-stand workstation and chairs to reduce workers' health risks from prolonged standing. 24 According to the Canadian Center for Occupational Health and Safety, adverse health outcomes from standing posture might be reduced by changing positions frequently, avoiding inappropriate bending, taking rest breaks, and improving workstations.…”

Three dimensional finite element analysis of biomechanics of osteotomy ends with three different fixation methods after hallux valgus minimally invasive osteotomy

“…Hallux valgus is one of the common deformities of foot deformity, which mostly occurs in women, and the incidence rate is about 10%. 1,2 The main clinical manifestations of hallux valgus are that the first metatarsophalangeal joint of hallux valgus deviates outward, the hallux valgus angle is larger than the physiological hallux valgus carrying angle of normal human body, and some patients have slightly outward rotation deformity of hallux valgus at the same time. 3 There are many factors leading to hallux valgus, mainly including heredity, flat feet, long-term wearing of high heels and so on.…”