Women who wear high heels or badly-fitting trainers could be putting themselves at risk of arthritis, experts have warned.
The Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists said the UK could be facing an “arthritis crisis” due to increasing levels of obesity, people living longer and poor footwear.
The most common form of the condition, osteoarthritis, causes pain and stiffness in the joints and affects at least eight million people in the UK.
It is caused by stress to the cartilage and can result from injury or from general wear and tear on the joint.
The condition is more common and severe in women, and can badly affect the feet.
A quarter of women wear high heels every day or “frequently”, a poll of 2,000 people for the Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists found.
But experts warned high heels can alter the body’s posture and increase pressure on the foot, ankle and knee joints, increasing the risk of osteoarthritis.
The poll also found that 77 per cent of both men and women do not wear shoes designed specifically for the sport they are doing.
This can cause injury and stress on the joints, increasing the risk of the debilitating condition.
Anthony Redmond, professor and a podiatrist and arthritis researcher from the society, said: “Although you are more likely to develop arthritis as you get older, it can occur at any age and the good news is that there are simple things you can do to help prevent and treat arthritis. “Choosing the right footwear will help minimise the stress placed on the feet and joints during everyday activity and helps reduce the risk of injury and joint damage.
“For daily wear, the recommendation is to opt for a round-toed shoe with a heel height of no more than two to three centimetres and with a shock-absorbent sole to help minimise shock to the joints.
“When doing exercise, wearing trainers that are fitted and designed specifically for that form of exercise will both improve performance and protect from injury.
“Those who wear trainers that are not designed for sporting activity are placing themselves at real risk.
“With forces through the joints exceeding eight times the body weight during some sports, the importance of matching the right footwear to the activity cannot be overstated.”
The survey found 36 per cent of people do not know much about arthritis and 22 per cent think it is an inevitable part of getting older.
While 65 per cent have suffered stiffness or pain in their lower body and feet, only half have sought help for their symptoms.
Experts say people should be on their guard because arthritis is on the rise, with 60 per cent of cases in feet.
Prof Redmond said: “If you do experience frequent pain in your feet or ankles, don’t ignore it, as something can always be done.
“Some forms of arthritis start first in the feet and early treatment is vital to achieving the best long-term outcome.”