My Poor Legs!

Nurses Uniform/Gear

Published

My Fellow Nurses!

What am I doing wrong?! I have invested in a pair of good, study shoes (Dansko's) and I always have nice, thick socks on .. but by the end of a 12-hour shift on the floor, my legs ache so badly that I am limping through the door. The pain goes up my feet, into my inner legs, and throbs at my inner knee. It's the most awful sensation I've ever felt. Additionally, I'm beginning to get some unsightly veins in the back of my knees. I'm only 29!

So tell me: how do you keep your legs from feeling like they're falling off by the end of the 12-hour marathon shifts?!?

Specializes in ICU.

I have terrible spider veins in my legs from years of being on my feet in retail for anywhere from 12-15 hours a day 5-6 days a week. I started wearing Nike Shox back in 2004 and they worked well for me. To this day, it is the only shoe I will wear.

Specializes in Ambulatory Surgery, Ophthalmology, Tele.
I've seen these (remedy compression sleeves) recently and wondered if you would end up with increased edema since they end above/at the ankle.

I haven't had any foot swelling/edema. So far so good.

Specializes in Ambulatory Surgery, Ophthalmology, Tele.

Cross trainers are better for the kind of work we do. Running shoes excell at keeping your foot, knee, hip all in line as you go forward. But we stop, pivot, side step, etc. -- we aren't always walking forward. Wearing running shoes at work can cause knee and hip pain.

.

I wear running shoes. My knees have been bothering me a bit lately. Hmmmm...... :down:

Specializes in Med-Surg.

I have horrible knee and hip pain from a combination of college athletics, childbearing, and weight fluctuations. I wore Nike running shoes for years and tolerated the pain. Then I was talked into getting actual work shoes.

I went with the Sanita Professional shoe. They are pretty similar to Dansko, I think Dansko used to be owned by Sanita or something like that. But having tried Dansko, now owning Sanita, I'd say I made the right choice. Much more comfortable. And seriously, other than weather related, my joints barely cause discomfort anymore.

Specializes in OB.
I used to wear compression socks (knee length from prestige medical). I started wearing these when I was in nursing school (at age 32). My legs would ache without them. I would feel the need to massage my legs because they ached so much. The compression socks helped a lot. I also wore Danskos. I wore them with cotton socks (over my compression socks). I bought a half size bigger for the extra socks. The only thing I don't like is that compression socks or hose make your feet sweaty= stinky feet. :no:

Recently I did some research and found the perfect thing: Remedy compression sleeves. These are great. They go from ankle to above the upper calf but you wear your own socks. I wear cotton socks----> No more stinky feet. :woot:

Thank you for the tip!!! I always wear knee-high compression hose for leg support and spider vein prevention, but my feet STINK so much from them! Now I have a foot odor and leg support game plan!

Specializes in PMHNP.

I have never thought of Danskos to be very comfortable when I tried them on. I bought some shoes made by nursemates and they are WONDERFUL!

Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
I have never thought of Danskos to be very comfortable when I tried them on. I bought some shoes made by nursemates and they are WONDERFUL!

Ya either love Danskos or you hate them. Not much middle ground.

Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

Compression socks and sturdy, lace-up walking shoes.

Specializes in Ambulatory Surgery, Ophthalmology, Tele.
Ya either love Danskos or you hate them. Not much middle ground.

I loved my Danskos in the hospital but not for the ambulatory surgery center. I wear running shoes now. I threw my Danskos away, not planning to wear them anymore.

Specializes in Ambulatory Surgery, Ophthalmology, Tele.
Thank you for the tip!!! I always wear knee-high compression hose for leg support and spider vein prevention, but my feet STINK so much from them! Now I have a foot odor and leg support game plan!

The cheapest place I found the Remedy compression sleeves was on Walmart.com.

Specializes in NICU.

Agreed that aching legs need compression stockings. The venous stasis from being upright causes pooling and pain. Study the mmHg amount. Many of the knee high ones are only about 8-10 mmHgof compression. I have some full panty hose that are 20-30 mmHg compression and my legs never ache. They are a pain to put on but they're worth it. I've seen them as high as 40mmHg.

Specializes in Med/Surg & Hospice & Dialysis.
I haven't had any foot swelling/edema. So far so good.

Thank you. I was concerned about that is why I haven't tried them.

+ Add a Comment