Today, my doctor told me I have Plantar Fasciitis (heel-spur syndrome). What a bummer!
I've been experiencing a lot of pain in the bottoms of my feet for about a month now, but it's getting worse as time goes by. Thought I'd better have it checked out, and low and behold....I have "sick feet".
My switching to part time status...8 hour shifts on nights...couldn't be more timely as the doctor thinks 12's is way too much for me to continue working.
Had to go to the Orthotic Lab within the hospital today for fitting of some special cushions for my shoes in hopes it will relieve the pressure and the pain on the bottom of my feet, especially my heels. If not, surgery may have to be done. I hope not.
We need our feet to be healthy, so I am going to do whatever my doc tells me to do to keep them healthy. Please send up prayers...positive energy...healthy thoughts...whatever your belief happens to be...for me. Much thanks!
I get the Born shoes at a nicer department store in our area (like a Marshall Fields, Younkers, Dillards). They usually cost $75-$100 depending on the style. They are not tennis shoes they are dress shoes or sandals. Where I nurse, I can wear street clothes. With these shoes I can go all day with absolutely no pain. I love them! They are worth every dollar!
I do have a great pair of Reeboks I wear too. I have decided that I will buy only a couple of pair of nice shoes each year. Many pairs of cheap shoes are just not worth it. I also like Aerosoles! That is the brand I first wore when diagnosed. They are very comfy.
I feel for you.......I am having the same kind of severe pain in my foot, trying to limp along at work. Cutting back on walking otherwise.....which is killing my dogs.....they love long walks....boy I hope it gets better soon.
They'll just duct tape us to IV poles when we are too crippled to walk....Or put us on a dolly-like Hannibqal Lector-and have housekeeping push us from patient to patient..
You have gotten lots of sympathy and great advice!
I feel for you too.
I have not had PF but have treated many with it.
Since the mornings tend to be the worst, getting up and moving around, I suggest you take an orange and put it in the freezer and use that in the morning to roll under the affected area. It will help stretch the tendons and the ice will help circulation and decrease swelling, etc.
I know that sounds weird, but it really helps.
I wear the Z-coil shoes and LOVE them!! They work wonders for foot problems, low back and knee pain. I fully endorse them and recommend them to all nurses and workers who spend lots of time on their feet.
Also, I recommend getting some good neuromuscular therapy
(NMT) by a massage therapist or better yet a nurse massage therapist! That really can help as well.
Good luck to you and all the others of us who are on our feet all day long!
They'll just duct tape us to IV poles when we are too crippled to walk....Or put us on a dolly-like Hannibqal Lector-and have housekeeping push us from patient to patient..
Hannibal Lector! Now I LIKE that idea! :chuckle :roll :chuckle
Renerian...thanks a bunch! Can we have a forum about "Big Brother" anywhere on Allnurses? Moderators? It's a Current Event...Reality T.V. show, so what do you Moderators say? Can we, can we???
If so, I'll start one so us Big Brother fans can talk about who is going to win! Thanks!
Okay...the matter at hand here...........
TouchRN...thanks for the frozen orange idea! When I go grocery shopping, I'll buy more oranges (I'm all out now) and give it a whirl.
So sorry to hear your soles are aching, alas I too have PF and it's awful. Good shoes do wonders, and the exercises do help just keep it up I love the idea about the orange, can't wait to try it and hear my honey say" What are you doing with that orange?". Prayers sent your way deb
Thanks Deb...prayer power works! I need all I can get, too. :kiss
Just in the few short days I've been doing the icing of the feet and the exercises, I can tell a difference for the better, ESPECIALLY before I get out of bed in the morning, I do the flex feet exercises and pull the toes up towards my body to get a really good flex. Then, after I'm standing on my feet, I do the leg bends and achilles stretches alternating legs. That feels great too! I still need to make an appt. for the foot massage. Perhaps this weekend. :)
I had a patient one night, he was a podiatrist and asked me why I was walking on the side of my foot, my heel hurt so bad for so long I just did it without thinking about it. He gave me his business card and I made a appointment with him, 3 appointments for shots, steroids and anti inflammatories later, got the lecture on what type of shoes to wear. That was about 9 years ago, and I have been fine since then. Looking back I think I was stupid to wait for so long.
What a bummer! 
MomNRN, BSN, RN
316 Posts
I get the Born shoes at a nicer department store in our area (like a Marshall Fields, Younkers, Dillards). They usually cost $75-$100 depending on the style. They are not tennis shoes they are dress shoes or sandals. Where I nurse, I can wear street clothes. With these shoes I can go all day with absolutely no pain. I love them! They are worth every dollar!
I do have a great pair of Reeboks I wear too. I have decided that I will buy only a couple of pair of nice shoes each year. Many pairs of cheap shoes are just not worth it. I also like Aerosoles! That is the brand I first wore when diagnosed. They are very comfy.