Got your New Year’s Eve outfit and high heels picked out? You might want to read the following article before slipping your toes into those super pointed, sky-high stilettos.

For many people, the days and weeks leading up to New Year’s Eve include picking out the perfect outfit and shoes to wear while bidding adieu to 2018. If high heels are a must-do for you (anytime), you may want to follow this advice from the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) as you ring in 2019 without foot pain and injuries, according to a new release.

Keep in mind – even though they look great — high heels place the foot in an unnatural position, which puts a large amount of stress on the front of the foot and toes.

When shopping for heels, choose a lower heel height and wider toe box to reduce the pressure on the ball of the foot and compression on the toes. “A one- to two-inch heel is not a problem, but if gaining height is the goal, a shoe with a platform is preferable so that the foot is not in such an extreme position,” explains foot and ankle orthopaedic surgeon, Elizabeth A. Cody, MD, of Hospital for Special Surgery in New York via the news release. “Avoid shoes that pinch your toes, and don’t shy away from trying wide sizes.”

If you are not used to walking in high heels, make sure to practice strolling in them before New Year’s Eve as it requires additional attention to balance. Foot and ankle orthopaedic specialists also recommend strengthening the calves and lower leg muscles to improve overall stability. Limiting your time wearing high heels will also reduce the chance of the calf muscle tightening, the release adds.

Bottom-line: High heels place the foot in an unnatural position, which puts excessive stress on the front of the foot and toes. “For individuals who wear high heels often, the repeated pressure on the ball of the foot could lead to multiple problems and exacerbate many others such as bunions, sesamoiditis, metatarsalgia, and big toe arthritis,” Cody says in the release.

Find more tips for buying and wearing high heels this New Year’s Eve from FootCareMD.