Ouch! My feet!

Nurses Uniform/Gear

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Please I hope someone can help me.

Last semester (my first in the RN program), I followed everyone's advice and bought a pair of Rockers for clinicals. They sucked. True, they were lightweight, but they killed my feet.

Is it possible for a shoe to permanently damage your feet?

My feet hurt every day. The arches ache, the heels ache. When I wake up in the morning, it is a challenge to walk on them. I actually *limp* to the bathroom.

What do you all do for foot pain?

I'm thinking of getting a referral to a podiatrist/acupuncturist/faith healer/exorcist....

Anbody have experience with chronic and extreme foot pain and what did you do?

Thanks everyone.

:roll

Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho.

I used to get like that when i worked 12 hour shifts. Nursemates were the worst on my feet. I would get home, take my shoes off and couldnt walk unless I put my shoes back on.

I just used a trial and error appraoch and am using basic good walking shoes at work now. Backed by hours down to a 8 hour shift, and try to keep my shoes rotated and changed frequently.

Going to a podiotrist may help and he may send you to get some custom inserts for your shoes. If you have arch problems or somthing else going on that may be the only way to prevent the pain.

If your feet hurt worse in the morning when you get out of bed, you may have Plantar Faciatis. You may need orthodics in your shoes for support. If your pain is that bad a trip to the Podiatrist may help. I've had foot problems for years and orthodics and New Balance crosstrainers helped alot. I was always told to ice the bottoms of my feet well when I got home from work and NSAIDS will help with acute inflamation.

Good luck, foot problems can be a real pain in the, well I guess foot.:)

Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

kaycee, your advice right on the money. Developed Plantar Faciatis few years after 2nd child born. Saw podiatrist and same tX ordered. Custom orthotics helped. New Balance only sneaker I buy, just got new pair two weeks ago.

MsPurp see a Podiatrist STAT.

What is plantar faciatis?

My feet hurt all day, but they hurt the WORST in the morning. I look like a 100 year old woman hobbling down the hall.

See, I knew y'all could help. :roll

In the wonderful world of health maintenance organizations, I'll have to see the PMD for a referral to a podiatrist. I'm a little squeamish about having someone look that closely at my feet, but I'll do anything to stop the pain.

I believe that it is heel spurs or something similar.....I used to have the same problems before I went to the podiatrist....turns out I had flat feet and heel spurs....I had to have those lovely custom made inserts at 325.00, but they have done wonders for my feet and I agree that new balance sneakers are awesome!

Originally posted by MsPurp

...I'm a little squeamish about having someone look that closely at my feet...

LOL! ME TOO. I have *frequent* neuro exams involving my feet... I make a point of shaving my legs to the knee, swab on a couple of coats of polish and lotion them good the day of the exam...that way they look and smell 'pretty'.:D

-nancy

it is what my hub and I call 12 hour feet!!!!!!!!! I find that wearing out a cheap pair of white tennies about every three months works best for my dogs. ($10 kinda shoes)

Sounds like textbook plantar fasciaitis (sp?). I had it a few years ago.Takes awhile to heal. Hurt all day, but really painful when you first put your feet on the floor in the morning. Mine developed after wearing very cheap shoes with NO padding. Found a great pair of Nike AIRS and it gradually went away. Not all Nikes worked for me. Had to have the great air padding. But, that was the answer- LOTS of padding. My feet never hurt anymore. Good Luck!

My feet hurt in the am also. I just grin and bear it. I rotate my shoes q 3 days and it seems to help.I am going for some very good shoes next I have always been a new balance fan..

Specializes in LTC,Hospice/palliative care,acute care.
Originally posted by MsPurp

What is plantar faciatis?

My feet hurt all day, but they hurt the WORST in the morning. I look like a 100 year old woman hobbling down the hall.

See, I knew y'all could help. :roll

In the wonderful world of health maintenance organizations, I'll have to see the PMD for a referral to a podiatrist. I'm a little squeamish about having someone look that closely at my feet, but I'll do anything to stop the pain.

Plantar Fasciitis is one of the most common foot problems seen by medical professionals. The plantar fascia is a band of thick connective tissue in the arch, running from the heel to the ball of the foot. The plantar fascia is responsible for maintaining the arch of the foot.When the plantar fascia becomes stressed due to overexertion, structural deformity / weakness, or trauma, small tears may occur, which cause pain and inflammation. The pain is usually worst first thing in the morning and is most common in the heel area, where the plantar fascia is tearing away from the heel bone. There may also be a dull aching pain in the arch.

A Heel Spur may also develop on the heel bone where the plantar fascia is attached, but the spur may not be the cause of the pain; it is usually the plantar fascia itself, which is the problem.

Treatment may include physiotherapy, rest, icing, taping, anti-inflammatory, cortisone injections and acupuncture. However, if poor foot position and function are the root cause of the problem, then the symptoms will continue to re-occur if appropriate foot position is not maintained.

Long-term Treatment may call for custom-made foot orthoses designed to maintain proper foot function and position. Appropriate footwear that is designed to accommodate an orthoses is also required. The shoe must provide support and stability for both the orthoses and the foot. It is also recommended that a Birkenstock type sandal be worn around the house in lieu of bare feet or slippers. The sandals will continue to provide proper foot position, lead to faster healing and reduce the chances of re-occurrence. Once the foot position is improved, the plantar fascia is under less stress and therefore less painful. This type of injury can be very slow to heal, so don't expect improvement over night. Severe conditions may take many months to heal.

For Chronic conditions (less than 1% of all cases), where the pain is still intense after 9 - 12 months, a Dorsi-Flexion Night Splint is often used to stretch the plantar fascia. Ask your doctor for more details.

Personally-I worked through the pain for over a year before going to my family doc. It was so bad that just sitting down for 10 mins during the day brought back that early morning pain.....After 2 cortisone injections (through the bottom of my foot) that were effective for short periods of time I got my referral to a podiatry group(HMO here,too .Insurance did not pay for my $375.00 custom orthotics however this was the best money I have ever spent....I thought I was cured after a year and went back to my regular foot wear-had a flair up and began to wear them again-after a continuous 18 months-it was a miracle!I can no longer wear sneaks at work-I wear a nursemate clog-it has a great arch and a thick clunky sole.I no longer use my othotics but have them in an old pair of after work sneaks in case I need them again.I try to buy good shoes with a wide box and good arch....(used to love to buy many pairs of cheapies) One other point-you must begin to wear your custom orthotics for brief periods and work up to longer stretches...Follow the recommended schedule your doctor gives you-you need to get used to them....

Wow! Thanks for all the great info. The more I hear about it, the more it sounds like me... especially that early am pain. And it seems like the less active I am the *more* my feet hurt. Doesn't really make sense, does it?

You all have me convinced though. I'm calling the office tomorrow for a referral to a podiatrist. If only I could be diagnosed via the internet instead of taking my tired feet into the office.

Thanks again, everyone.

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