Citation

Fry A. Br. Med. J. BMJ 1959; 1(5124): 791.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1959, BMJ Publishing Group)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Stiletto heels have been now fashionable for some time and they are being worn by a large number of people. The designers and inventors of these heels must have overlooked the serious injuries which they may inflict accidentally. The stiletto heel consists of a tong narrow stem made of wood, but more often of aluminium. A round steel plate, one-quarter to five-sixteenths of an inch (6.5-8 mm.) in diameter, is screwed into the distal end of the heel, which is of the same diameter. After the shoe has been worn a little, the edge of the plate becomes serrated and in parts of razorsharpness. The whole plate becomes like an inverted mushroom, broader at its base. The pressure exerted on the plate by a person of about 8 stone (51 kg.) in weight may reach about 1,800 lb. per square inch (126 kg. per sq. cm.). The wounds caused by such heels, when a person is accidentally trodden on or kicked by someone wearing them, can be very serious.