question:flat foot any advice

Silverdragon102, BSN · Aug 4, 2011

Moved to the general nursing discussion forum

JRP1120, RN · Aug 4, 2011

Dansko or Sanita clogs!! My feet/legs/back would be shot without them!!

carolmaccas66, BSN, RN · Aug 4, 2011

Sorry but your feet won't stop hurting, especially after running around a manic ER/ED and busy wards for 8 hours. I soak mine & elevate them when I get home, and massage them, and they STILL hurt the next day.

But do get good and comfortable arch supports and stockings (pantyhose). Do not get the hard, plastic arch supports cos ur feet will KILL wearing them at work - also buy the HALF arch supports, not the full sole ones as they won't fit in your shoes and will compress the top of your foot. Also buy cushioned socks, they help me too and good shoes with thick soles for support. See an orthotics person if these suggestions don't work, as you may need tailored arch supports made.

Get used to standing on ur feet all day - especially when assisting doctors in the ED and in theatre!

saraleigh, ASN, RN · Aug 4, 2011

I wear an 11 in women's and have totally flat feet so I feel your pain (literally). Before the invention of internet shopping finding a pair of shoes was more dreadful and disappointing than swimsuit shopping. I regularly buy from Zappos.com, shoes.com, and amazon.com for my shoes. Many times I will buy 2 sizes of the same pair (sometimes I need an 11.5 - try finding that in a store) and return the one that doesn't fit as return shipping is free. That being said, what works best for me is running shoes; they tend to be more narrow and have built in "arch support" and are more rigid which will help with overpronation of a flat foot (minimizing ankle and knee pain). Right now I have a pair of Asics, which are excellent. I also like New Balance, but they can tend to run a bit wide. Recently I purchased some orthotic inserts from target that just go under the heel and arch portion of your foot and they are awesome. A great specialized brand is Earth shoes, but they can be pretty pricey.

Hope this helped.

foreverLaur · Aug 4, 2011

I also have flat feet that cause me problems and will need to have reconstructive surgery on one of my feet before I am 30. It is a chronic problem. I have seen four orthopaedic surgeons. I had custom made orthotics and spent about $150 on a really great pair of New Balance shoes. I would recommend them - every orthopaedic doctor I have ever seen recommends New Balance over every other brand for feet problems and the people there will custom fit the shoes to you once you have your inserts made (bring them with you). It has made a WORLD of difference.

trueimage · Aug 4, 2011

I'm not a nurse yet, but I'm no stranger to being on my feet. I too am flat footed, no arch. I cant NOT wear arch supports of any kind. They only give me more pain in different places. What I do recommend is a shoe with a heel or heel inserts. I don't mean high heeled stilettos, just something that heel area is elevated a half inch to an inch. You will not believe how much strain this will remove from your knees, achilles and lower back. I've seen heel wedges (inserts) that were super soft and cheap too.

jlpsu · Aug 4, 2011

I have very flat feet and I am a runner (or I was, until my arthritis in my knee made that impossible). I went to a podiatrist who fitted me with custom orthotics that I can take out and put in all of my shoes. They have been life savers. The doctor will take a cast of your feet and the orthotics are made specificially for your feet. They aren't cheap ($400) and my insurance didn't cover them...but as I said - they have been a life saver. They keep my feet right where they are supposed to be and support where they should the exact amount that they should.

I'm just starting nursing school and while I don't think I can eliminate all foot pain - I know without these orthotics it would be excrutiating.

Good luck!

tishluvnc · Aug 4, 2011

Thank you all for your suggestions. I will be lookinging into some of them. I've never tryed any of those brands, but I will now.

carluvscats · Aug 4, 2011

I wear 10 1/2 (4E width!!!!) mens and have very flat feet as well. I've found Asics GT-2160 to be quite comfortable; they are a little pricey but well worth it. I don't have pain after an 8 hr shift but my feet will hurt a little after a 12.... just the nature of the beast, I suppose.

I bought mine from Scheel's and quizzed them on their return policy. At the time I was working in surgery and told them straight up that I would possibly be walking through guts/blood/etc (not to be dramatic, but I wanted them to understand!) and that I wanted to be able to return them if necessary. They assured me I could.

Another thing that has helped is to work out regularly. Seems to build up a little resistance as far as being on my feet all the time.

Best of luck!

MagsMom · Aug 4, 2011

I will add in my vote for trying Dansko or Sanita. Try the clogs with the back first - they are much better in my opinion. I find the backless ones slip off my feet. Also, when comparing I like Sanita better than Dansko - the back on the Sanita is wider than on Danskos (or at least that is how they feel to me). I have completely flat feet - but I am short and chubby! Don't be afraid of the price - if for some reason they don't work out your can see on ebay!