A growing number of women are now cutting off their pinky toes to make wearing heels more comfortable.
The shortening of toes and foot injections are similar surgeries that are popular with stiletto-obsessed women who find it too painful for her to wear heels for more than a few minutes.
Susan Deming, a patient who recently underwent a toe-shortening procedure, told Fox News: “Unless you’ve been there, and you can’t find shoes, and you’re in pain, don’t judge.”
She added: “I was having calluses, and just, all sorts of problems with my left foot. And there finally was a solution. There’s never been a solution before.”
According to the American Podiatric Medical Association, 87% of women have foot problems from wearing ill-fitting shoes, such as uncomfortable high heels.
For Susan Deming, her left foot was one size larger than her right foot, due to abnormally long left toes.
So she underwent a surgical procedure which cut off a centimeter of her second toe, enabling her to finally wear high heels again.
“I’ve never felt this good about something I’ve done. If it’s vain, it’s vain,” she said.
Other foot surgeries include removing bunions, and even injecting collagen into the balls of the feet for extra cushioning.
Dr. Nathan Lucas, a podiatrist in Memphis, said: “It’s as if they’re walking on pillows when they wear their high heel shoes.”
Dr. Nathan Lucas, who saw nearly 30 patients per month last year for foot surgeries, also revealed that more women are now requesting removal of their pinky toe.
In such instances, he simply refers a doctor who will perform the procedure, which is “a bit extreme” for him, he said.
“It’s on the rise here because the more people know about it, then of course the more they inquire about it,” he said.
“They seek to get certain things done, just because they didn’t know it exists.”
However, the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons advise against foot procedures for purely cosmetic purposes.
The group said: “Surgery performed solely for the purpose of improving the appearance or size of the foot or ankle carries risks without medical benefit, and therefore should not be undertaken.”
