[Valerie Salva]

Cherokeesummer,

I am overweight, and have had a lot of pain in my legs, feet and back since becoming a nurse. A while back, I lost a large amount of weight dieting, and there was no improvement in my pain. I've since gained the weight back, and it has not made the pain worse.

I finally got my feet and legs x-rayed and learned I have a musculo-skeletal birth defect which was previously undiagnosed.

I've tried many kinds of shoes and support socks. I'll post links to the ones I've found that really do help with my pain.

These come with a removable foam insole, which is not shown in the pic.
http://www.allheart.com/ckpremier.html


http://www.allheart.com/ckmedisoc.html

[merellis2009]

Here's what I've learned:
1. Drink lots of water throughout the day. If you cant take a true break, then run off by the patient kitchen and chug down a small cup of water every other hour.
2. Compression socks rock. Nuff said. They are all I wear at work.
3. I alternate between my Danskos and Sketchers slip on's every other day. The key to wearing Danskos is this: You MUST break them in at home for a few days before wearing them on a 12 hour mostly standing shift!!!
4. As soon as you get home, the socks come off and the feet get propped up.

Hope this helps!

[Emmanuel Goldstein]

Originally Posted by Valerie Salva

Cherokeesummer,

I am overweight, and have had a lot of pain in my legs, feet and back since becoming a nurse. A while back, I lost a large amount of weight dieting, and there was no improvement in my pain. I've since gained the weight back, and it has not made the pain worse.

I finally got my feet and legs x-rayed and learned I have a musculo-skeletal birth defect which was previously undiagnosed.

I've tried many kinds of shoes and support socks. I'll post links to the ones I've found that really do help with my pain.

These come with a removable foam insole, which is not shown in the pic.
http://www.allheart.com/ckpremier.html


http://www.allheart.com/ckmedisoc.html

I ordered a pair of rockers, and they look sooooo darned comfortable, but (at least for me) they were not true to size; they were much tighter and smaller than what I expected and I'd actually ordered a 1/2 size up from my usual size.

[SillyStudent]

Maybe you could try a few different kinds of compression socks and see if they bother you? I went to compression socks about a month ago when my Danskos were leaving me crippled at the end of my shift. I have been wearing a pair of sketchers running shoes and compression socks, and my feet/legs feel great when I get home. I went back to the danskos this week and the compression socks seem to have done the trick.

[carolinapooh]

Originally Posted by BeachBayNurse

I can pretty much wear any shoe to work and be fine, however Danskos felt like torture! I would not suggest buying them until maybe you tried a friend's pair perhaps for a shift. They are very expensive to only wear a few times.

As a huge Danskos devotee, I wouldn't recommend borrowing someone else's. The shoes are made of leather with rubber soles and a partial steel shank (they will set off metal detectors like nobody's business). Over time the leather and rubber conform to your feet, making them potentially uncomfortable for anyone else. Wearing someone else's shoes is never really a good idea.

I have bought two brand new pairs at consignment shops for less than fifty bucks. I recommend trying there. Also, I did get a brand new pair at a thrift store once for five dollars. You never know what you'll find in those places!

Also - COMPRESSION SOCKS are a must...

[NurseRatched67]

Don't overlook proper amounts of calcium in your diet as well.

One thing you haven't mentioned is if your back is also bothering you, or if it's just your feet and legs.

A friend of mine who stocks shevles at Home Depot always wears a flexible, cloth back brace to help his back.

It takes pressure off his lower back and helps his legs at the same time.

[Valerie Salva]

Originally Posted by Emmanuel Goldstein

I ordered a pair of rockers, and they look sooooo darned comfortable, but (at least for me) they were not true to size; they were much tighter and smaller than what I expected and I'd actually ordered a 1/2 size up from my usual size.

I think they do run a little small. Did you exchange them for a larger size? I wear a WW width, and mine are wide enough for me.

Another thing I love about them is that they are so easy to keep clean and sanitary.

After a shift, I just remove the insoles, and toss the shoes in the washer with bleach. I set them on a towel to dry, and they're dry by the time I need them for my next shift.

If I don't have time to wash them, I just wipe them down with Clorox wipes. If they get really stained, Comet cleanser works great to get them clean.

They come out looking new.

I tried Crocs, they are soft, but the heel is too low for me. I have a shortened Achilles tendon, and I need a little bit of heel.

[pheobes718]

I really like compression socks (found at any scrubs store and most athletic stores); they're more comfortable than stockings

[sabrosura98]

I felt the same way when I started, It get better after awhile, you get used to it. Another way to lessen you walk is to get everything you are going to need for a room. My problem was going back to a room over and over because I forgot something. When it is a hectic day, there is no doubting your feet and legs are going to HURT BAD. If things are too tough, look into doing case management or something less physical.

[nursemike]

Originally Posted by sabrosura98

I felt the same way when I started, It get better after awhile, you get used to it. Another way to lessen you walk is to get everything you are going to need for a room. My problem was going back to a room over and over because I forgot something. When it is a hectic day, there is no doubting your feet and legs are going to HURT BAD. If things are too tough, look into doing case management or something less physical.

I have come to much the same conclusion: if my brain isn't smart enough to figure out how to be an efficient nurse, my feet will just have to teach it.