A study at Iowa State University has found that prolonged wearing of high heels can contribute to joint degeneration and knee osteoarthritis.

The research studied the effects of walking in high heels from various sizes of heel and measured the forces around the knee joint and the heel strike shock wave that travelled up the body when walking in heels.

The study found that heel height changes walking characteristics such as causing slower speeds and shorter stride lengths.  As the heel got higher, the study also saw an increase in the compression on the inside of the knee, which is known to increase joint degeneration, resulting in osteoarthritis.