High heeled shoes apply increased pressure primarily to which part of the foot?

High heeled shoes primarily increase pressure on the metatarsal heads. When a person wears high heels, the foot is positioned at an incline which shifts the body’s weight forward. This shift in weight distribution causes more pressure to be concentrated on the forefoot, particularly on the areas under the metatarsal heads.

The architecture of high heels typically elevates the heel while lowering the forefoot, which exaggerates this pressure. Prolonged use of such footwear can lead to various foot problems, including metatarsalgia, which is characterized by pain and discomfort in that area.

Although high heels do affect other parts of the foot, such as increasing pressure on the toes due to crowding and height, the most significant increase in pressure occurs at the metatarsal heads. Hence, emphasizing this particular area is crucial for understanding the implications of wearing high-heeled shoes.