A latest research has revealed that high heels are the culprit behind rise in number of middle aged women experiencing an agonizing foot condition, which is compared to ‘walking on razors blades’.

High heels are causing women more pain than ever, a recent study revealed.

Morton’s neuroma is a condition which disturbs the nerve running between the toes. It affects four times as many women as men, showed the study.

According to experts, this condition is found to be more common in women who have been wearing high heels now for several years.

The study has showed that the number of people suffering from the condition has more than doubled in the last 10 years.

Researchers told that Morton’s neuroma causes development of fibrous tissue around the nerve, which then becomes compressed.

It causes severe pain which can range from feeling like there is a pebble inside the shoe to walking on razor blades in the space in between the toes, they said.

The study highlighted that wearing high-heeled shoes can push the toe bones against the nerve, making it more likely for the condition to develop.

More than half of patients with the condition require surgery to alleviate symptoms, which can lead to total loss of feeling in the toes, the study found.

Matthew Fitzpatrick, a member of the college of podiatry, said, “Wearing heels puts excessive pressure on the ball of the foot which can increase the risk of Morton’s. The sudden rise in Morton’s neuroma cannot be solely blamed on heel itself - but amount of time women spend wearing them”.

As more and more women are frequently wearing high heels both for work and parties, it may cause severe pain. Women are therefore grinning and bearing the pain caused by heels for much longer periods of time.