Kevin Courtneyexplains Stiliettotarsel

I'm not familiar with that one. Is it anywhere near the metatarsals?

Just a step away. Stilettotarsal is the painful condition suffered by women who wear extreme high heels.

Ouch, so that's why I'm in agony.

The higher the heel, the more pressure on the plates of meat. Women are hobbling around in the name of fashion, ignoring the jabbing pains in the balls of their feet.

But these shoes are fabulous, darling!

That's as may be. Meanwhile, your feet are paying the price for staying in vogue. Women are strutting out like the cast of Sex and the City,clicking their over-elevated heels and walking straight into a minefield of medical problems.

What kind of medical problems?

Corns, bunions and hammer toes are among the most common ailments afflicting the feet of the fashion-conscious. But more serious injuries are on the rise, such as tendinitis, twisted ankles and, of course, stilettotarsal.

Why the increase in injuries?

This season, the fashion is for ultra-high heels, and designers are doing battle to see who can go the highest. Recently, Gwyneth Paltrow tottered out in a pair of 7in Guiseppe Zanottis, causing a spike in sales at Selfridges, while Posh (aka Victoria Beckham) hit the same dizzy heights in a pair of Dsquared2 needle stilettos, prompting thousands of women to follow in her wobbly footsteps.

Brave girls. I wouldn't dare get up in a pair of those. Not without stilt-walking lessons.

At the Prada fall fashion show, no fewer than three models came a cropper on the catwalk, unable to keep their balance on heels that were narrower than hair.

Why the obsession with heel size? Does it matter?

As the Dow Jones goes down, the Dolce Gabbana heels go up. Some say that heel size is index-linked and that the look says, 'Never mind the downturn, I'm above it all'. If you put a foot wrong, however, you might end up taking more than a financial tumble.

Well, I can't see how you can walk in these.

Fashion pundits have offered advice on how to stay surefooted while wearing impossibly high heels. Make sure they fit perfectly so your feet don't swish around in them. Don't wear slippery socks or hose - bare feet give you more grip. You have to walk confidently, leaning slightly back and throwing your leg out in front of you. Another tip is to limit the time you have to spend in high heels. Bring a pair of flat shoes to change into when paparazzi aren't around. Also, try to avoid actually walking. Take a taxi or employ a group of musclebound hunks to carry you around. If you have to walk, bring a friend to lean on as you sashay along.

Is there a cure for stilettotarsal?

Women are queuing up for a procedure that will ease the pressure on that delicate part of the foot. For just a few grand, the foot doc will inject a Botox-like substance into the heel, creating a subcutaneous cushion to protect it from pain. It's called a "foot-filler".

I've heard of a stocking filler, but this is ridiculous.

Well, here's a Christmas hint for the fashion victim in your life: a pair of Christian Louboutin shoes with a staggering 8in of heel, plus a voucher for a foot-filler to counteract the sole-destroying effects of wearing such a vertiginous item. She will fall into your arms with gratitude - accidentally, of course.

Try at work:"Got it! We run overhead cables along the catwalk to keep models upright."

Try at home:"My feet are fine, but my head's sore from banging off the door lintels."