Why Did Brooke Shields Carry A Cane At The 2012 Met Gala? [PHOTOS]

The Met Gala is known for its fashion-forward flair. Stars go decked out in everything from ostrich feathers to turbans to life-size bows. But a cane is still quite an unorthodox accessory.

Brooke Shields carried a cane with her down the red carpet on Monday at the 2012 Met Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute. The 46-year-old actress and former Calvin Klein model paired the walking aid with a navy J. Mendel lace dress, Tiffany Co. jewels and a structured clutch.

Brooke Shields' cane was not a quirky accessory. The Blue Lagoon star told E! News' Giuliana Rancic that she needed it at the Met Gala because she tore her meniscus, cartilage in the knee, while playing Morticia Addams in the Broadway production of The Addams Family. The play ended in December, but Shields is still healing from the injury.

[It's] not a big deal, it's inconvenient, she told E!'s Giuliana Rancic, adding, You know what? We'll do anything for fashion! She apparently could not resist an invite to the 2012 Met Gala, even though the Met's grand staircase was a trial.

Instead of six-inch Christian Louboutin shoes, however, Shields opted for flip flops, according to OMG! Yahoo! But no one was any the wiser, as her gown skimmed the floor and concealed her feet.

Brooke Shields is not the only Hollywood star to hit the red carpet with a cane. Brad Pitt needed a cane to walk earlier this year after he tore his medial collateral ligament while carrying daughter Vivienne Jolie-Pitt on a ski slope, according to The New York Post.

OMG! Yahoo! noted that Shields has had a history of work injuries. In 2010, she broke her hand during rehearsals for the L.A. musical, Leap of Faith. Even then she tried to persevere through the pain.

I knew something was wrong but I was, like, 'I cannot make this about me,' Shields told the L.A. Times. I don't ever want to be that high-maintenance person, you know, 'I have a hangnail, so production has to shut down.'

When she finally saw a doctor, she found out she also had a torn muscle in her leg.

I have a high tolerance for pain, Shields said. You just go, OK, I'll take four Advils every hour. It's not that I'm a martyr. But the show does have to go on.

Despite the injury, Brooke Shields had a wonderful time playing Morticia on Broadway.

I am having the time of my life playing Morticia with this wonderful company of actors, Shields said in a statement at the time. Morticia is such a delicious role and 'The Addams Family' is such a fantastic and iconic piece of entertainment that I just couldn't resist the invitation to extend.