Thanks for your detailed comment. You are right, shoes are a BIG factor and do contribute in a big way to foot problems for women (and men), however, science proves the woman's foot is unique (and different) from the male. Briefly, the bones of the female foot are unique from the male foot, and further, these differences contribute to women developing foot problems. For instance, the contour of the end of the metatarsal bone that forms part of the big toe joint, increases the likelihood women will form a bunion. And at the ankle the main bone of the leg, the tibia, is narrower in women and its outer shell (or cortex) is thinner (both these factors contribute to ankle fractures).
Beyond shape, the joints of the foot differ in the female. There are 33 joints in the foot. A joint is a fluid-filled capsule that connects two bones and allows movement. Within the joint, cartilage (the shiny white gristle that you see on the ends of chicken bones) covers the edges of the bones that are touching each other. The joints of the female foot have less fluid, less surface and the cartilage is thinner. As a result, the joints are more likely to breakdown and become arthritic.
Ligaments—strong, thin bands of tissue—hold joints together. In women, ligaments are more lax or looser than in men. A looser ligament creates a weaker joint, which in turn, contributes to women experiencing more ankle sprains, dislocations of the foot bones, and misalignment problems, such as bunions, flat feet and crooked toes.
These looser ligaments are due to the hormones’ estrogen and progesterone. The levels of these hormones fluctuate with the woman’s menstrual cycle. Some scientists believe that during ovulation (day 10-14) when the amount of estrogen in the body is the highest, the woman is most at risk for a ligament injury.
This is a little bit of the science that proves male and females have different feet. This doesn't mean that the female foot is worse than the male; just different. Again, thanks for your comment.
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Hi Kristen -
Thanks for your detailed comment. You are right, shoes are a BIG factor and do contribute in a big way to foot problems for women (and men), however, science proves the woman's foot is unique (and different) from the male. Briefly, the bones of the female foot are unique from the male foot, and further, these differences contribute to women developing foot problems. For instance, the contour of the end of the metatarsal bone that forms part of the big toe joint, increases the likelihood women will form a bunion. And at the ankle the main bone of the leg, the tibia, is narrower in women and its outer shell (or cortex) is thinner (both these factors contribute to ankle fractures).
Beyond shape, the joints of the foot differ in the female. There are 33 joints in the foot. A joint is a fluid-filled capsule that connects two bones and allows movement. Within the joint, cartilage (the shiny white gristle that you see on the ends of chicken bones) covers the edges of the bones that are touching each other. The joints of the female foot have less fluid, less surface and the cartilage is thinner. As a result, the joints are more likely to breakdown and become arthritic.
Ligaments—strong, thin bands of tissue—hold joints together. In women, ligaments are more lax or looser than in men. A looser ligament creates a weaker joint, which in turn, contributes to women experiencing more ankle sprains, dislocations of the foot bones, and misalignment problems, such as bunions, flat feet and crooked toes.
These looser ligaments are due to the hormones’ estrogen and progesterone. The levels of these hormones fluctuate with the woman’s menstrual cycle. Some scientists believe that during ovulation (day 10-14) when the amount of estrogen in the body is the highest, the woman is most at risk for a ligament injury.
This is a little bit of the science that proves male and females have different feet. This doesn't mean that the female foot is worse than the male; just different. Again, thanks for your comment.
March 24, 2010 - 4:39pmThis Comment
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