My feet HURT!!!

Nurses General Nursing

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Im still getting used to my first LPN job and i go home everyday in pain. When i finally go to bed, my feet are pounding when i elevate them. I just wanted to complain to you guys, since you've all probably been there. Thanks and Happy Holidays to all!!!

Thanks guys!!! I just got home from my first night shift and whew, my whole body hurts! Lol but hopefully ill adapt soon. Im gonna get the dr scholls inserts later today and im definately gonna try compression stockings. Awesome suggestions! And its nice to hear others are suffering with me! ; ) (In a good way!!)

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A few months after starting nursing, my feet were in agony! I would wake up in the morning and literally limp around for about 20 mins until my muscles stretched out...turns out, I had some issues that I wasn't aware of until starting to work long shifts ie flat arch, rolling my ankles when walking. The pain started in my foot and radiated to my ankles and shins. I did invest in orthotics and they have made a world of difference! No more pain and I'm not walking around funny at work anymore lol...just something to keep in mind if the pain doesn't do away in a few months; there may be an underlying problem

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Specializes in MR/DD.

My feet would fall off if it were not for my nike shox. My suggestion is to buy a pair of shoes and try them out at home, on carpet ( so they do not get dirty) for an entire weekend, return them if they do not work out for you. Keep trying out shoes until you find the ones that work out... once you find them, money will not be an issue :)

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Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.

Just your feet hurt? Wait till you've been at this for 30 years. I come home and EVERYTHING hurts!! I'm the DNS but I spend more time on the floors than in my office. A wicked hot shower and 800mg of ibuprofen work wonders....oh yeah....and there's the Valium for the back spasms!:cheeky:

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Specializes in Med Surg/ Pedi, OR.

So if your entire body hurts then you need some physical activity. Yes, Shoes are helpful but if your body is in good shape you should be able to work an entire shift. I sometimes work double shifts and by then I can feel like I need to take these shoes off. Try Yoga.

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Specializes in Med Surg - Renal.
Im still getting used to my first LPN job and i go home everyday in pain. When i finally go to bed, my feet are pounding when i elevate them. I just wanted to complain to you guys, since you've all probably been there. Thanks and Happy Holidays to all!!!

I feel your pain. The best rx for me was to drink a lot of water (not pop, juice, milk...but water), eat a healthy diet and exercise frequently - especially walking.

When I stray away from good habits, my foot pain increases, when I come back to them, it decreases.

Good luck!

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Specializes in Med-Surg/Ortho, Telemetry.

Someone recommended Powerstep orthotics (on Amazon for $20) which saved my feet! I used to replace my shoes every 6 months or so but now I just replace the orthotics. I use them with my Skechers Shape Ups. I could use some new shoes but the old ones are still comfy. I still get the occasional ache, but only if I've been running around all night and don't get a chance to rest my feet.

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Specializes in geriatrics.

I wear Nike Air and I love them. I have bad feet as it is, but my feet rarely hurt. I've been wearing the same shoes for over a year, too. They've really held up.

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Haven't read the other replies,

but, to the OP, do try out several types of shoes. The kind of shoes that comfort one nurse, might make another nurse's feet feel WORSE.

I myself always wore very lightweight, thin, leather tennis shoes. The more lightweight of a shoe, the better *my* feet felt at the end of the day. I did try a few styles of more built up shoes, which are supposed to provide "support" for the foot,

but, those heavy clodhoppers, always left my feet and legs aching,

but, the super lightweight shoes didn't. I tried several brands that my coworkers swore by,

just to see what all the fuss was about,

but, their kind of shoes did not work for me. To me, it felt like i was wearing weights on my legs or something.

go figure. No explanation for this, could be just me. Every week, someone would point at my lightweight shoes, and say, "oh no, those shoes would make my feet hurt a lot if that was all the support i wore!"

yet, they worked for ME.

so, hope that helps. EXPERIMENT and find what works for YOU.

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Specializes in Psychiatry.

Whatever you do, do not massage your legs. There have been documented anecdotes of thromboembolism.

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Carefully stretch your legs - quads, hamstrings, etc. You have to do all areas front and back your muscles will shorten from your day, and this causes a lot of pain in your feet! You can find a few exercises to do quickly once or twice at work daily, standing up - takes a second. Have you tried ice? Fill tub of water to cover foot and ankle with cold water - yes its coooollllddddd. But it's also heavenly - you will soon whine to get to that icy water after work. Do for a few minutes right when you get home, to help slow the swelling/pain. Eating a lot of salt? cut back. Don't wear all cotton socks - wear a blend. Cotton is bad on your skin.

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Specializes in Trauma, Teaching.

I developed really bad plantar fascitis; with my podiatrist and PT finally got over it. Been using crocs ever since, no further problems. Love to feel the squish under my feet.

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