In addition, because the toes are pressed together, ingrown toenails are a major risk. Other unpleasant side effects can include corns between the toes and a pinching of the nerves in the foot, called a neuroma. This condition can be extremely painful, creating a burning, shooting pain in the bottom of the foot. It is usually treated by injecting steroids into the foot, but chronic cases may need to be treated by surgery. The grisly details don't end there, however, Hurwitz says.
Heels can cause problems all the way up the leg.
When the big toe doesn't rotate properly because it can't move, the knee must rotate to compensate. Eventually the stress on the knee can cause lasting damage. Some women may adjust their stride to counter the discomfort, but this can lead to low back pain. These spurs don't point down but forward, which is why putting a cushion in the bottom of a lower shoe won't help. A high heel, by design, puts pressure on the arch, which in turn eases the pulling pain of bone spurs.