So, like most bedside nurses, I am on my feet non-stop, for 14-15hrs a shift. I have HOKA high-mileage rated running shoes, and KURU work shoes, which I alternate each shift (costing a pretty penny!). I also wear support socks. However, by the time I get home, the pain in my feet (primarily heels and achilles tendon) and lower legs is enough to make Mother Theresa swear. Currently, I slam 400mg ibuprofen and elevate legs in bed on a giant pillow to sleep, so I can stand to stand in the morning and do it all over again. Three shifts in a row compounds the problem to near-agony. Has anyone come up with a better solution? Getting someone to massage my feet is nearly impossible, though I am not beyond begging.
FWIW, I log about 10-14,000 steps per shift, on a VERY busy medsurg floor. I don't know how I am going to do this for the next 20 years.
Many good specialty running stores will have equipment to measure your foot pattern and gait, and can help point you to a few shoes that will match with your feet. New Balance stores offer this service. If that doesn't work, ask your PCP for a referral to someone who can custom build you some orthotics.
Setting yourself up for 20 more years of pain free productivity will require an investment of time and money in the present.
I have Achilles tendonitis. I'm also >260lbs. I've found that foam-soled lightweight running shoes work best for me, but I buy three pair that I rotate each shift, and replace approximately every 6-8 months.
I also do some light stretching during my shifts, and work on general mobility exercises on my days off. I've found that if my lower-back-to-feet muscle chain is flexible, my Achilles tendons are less sore as well.
I regularly do three 12's in a row in an ER which allows me very little sitting time, some days - none. My formula is to start with three different pairs of shoes that I love and rotate through them. I leave one pair in my locker and change my socks and shoes at my mid-shift break so I don't wear the same pair more than six hours straight. The pair I remove at break stays in the locker and goes back on 24 hours later at the next mid-shift break. I trade to a different pair at home every day.The fresh socks and change in angles and pressure points is a refreshing start on the second half of a shift. Throw in a little caffeine hit and you're good to go.
I would massage your feet, but it would be a felony in Florida if you paid me. I'd just have to do it for free if that would work for you.
Hi everyone! Thank you so much for the great suggestions. I will work through all of the ideas, and see if I can get an appointment with a podiatrist.
Adding to my misery is that I twisted (mangled) my right ankle in March, and it still isn't 100%, or very flexible. I didn't bother to go to orthopedics, because I knew they would say one of two things: wear a boot or stay off it for 3 months, or surgery and off it for three months. Last time I checked, they didn't pay me to stay off work, so that wasn't an option. Related, I saw a meme the other day that made me laugh... "Welcome to adulthood; I hope you like ibuprofen".
When I find a solution, I will post the winner! Thank you, again!
Insoles! I had the same issues, no matter which shoes I wore. Superfeet and Vionic make good ones for people with high arches and weak ankles. Look at the different descriptions and find the right ones for you.
I checked out Good Feet, they have a good reputation, but EXPENSIVE! Look at FootSmart.com, also. The podiatrist idea is probably the best one. Best of luck. I feel for you!
Specializes in Medical Writer, Licensed Teacher & Nurse, BA Psych.
It's called abuse - physical abuse. Can't you all GET this fact?? It doesn't matter what shoes/inserts you wear. NO ONE is meant to be on their feet that long!! Jesus!! WAKE UP!!
I have a WINNER!!! Heel cups called "Heal that pain" that I put in my (expensive) Hoka One One shoes. I worked a 15 hour day, and my feet feel absolutely no pain, no tendonitis, no plantar fasciitis agony. I can't believe it!! This is the first post shift, without ibuprofen and whimpering.
I just recently purchased a pair of Alegria Keli shoes about 2 weeks ago and love them. I was experiencing the same type of heel pain which prompted me to buy my 1st pair of "nursing" shoes! I love my saucony and have worn them for years but I started with the cohesion 6 and now they're up to the cohesion 11 version and they do not fit the same. I think the pain was due to wearing sandals all summer, no idea.
Anyway, my feet are flat and wide, and the only shoes wide enough out there are saucony, some sketchers, some new balance (too high of an arch for me), and easy spirit. Daksos and Sanita are off limits for me as I can't fit my feet in them AT ALL! I would have loved to try them out. Nurse mates caught my attention but I never made the purchase. Good luck!
It does sound a lot like you're experiencing plantar fasciitis. The various shoe changes didn't do much for me, just provided temporary relief. Amazingly(to me), what helped is the $25 splint for plantar fasciitis that I bought at the supermarket pharmacy. This splint keeps your foot flexed 'toes toward your nose' style during the night, which I felt seemed entirely unrelated to the excruciating heel pain I was feeling by the end of the day. But miraculously it really works! If you want to just experiment with the idea of forcing your aching foot in a 'flexed upwards', before investing in the splint, you could try sleeping with a wall against your feet to keep the toes from stretching downwards while sleeping. I still can't believe a splint that simply kept my foot flexed upwards during the night would completely resolve my horrible heel pain. It felt so counterintuitive to me. Do try!
Kelso Earth shoes have a negative heal, putting you in the mountain yoga position. I wore these before and after my total knee replacement and it was a tremendous help with pain and maintaining full extension for range of motion.
Did you fit yourself for your shoes? If so, you may not have the right shoes for your foot type. Go to a running shoe store (not like Famous Footwear or anything... go to a specialty store). They will analyze your gait and your arch and they can help you find the right shoe for you. I find I also have to replace my shoes anywhere from 3-6 months, depending on the shoe. Foot pain = new shoes for me! Good luck.
ThatBigGuy
268 Posts
Many good specialty running stores will have equipment to measure your foot pattern and gait, and can help point you to a few shoes that will match with your feet. New Balance stores offer this service. If that doesn't work, ask your PCP for a referral to someone who can custom build you some orthotics.
Setting yourself up for 20 more years of pain free productivity will require an investment of time and money in the present.
I have Achilles tendonitis. I'm also >260lbs. I've found that foam-soled lightweight running shoes work best for me, but I buy three pair that I rotate each shift, and replace approximately every 6-8 months.
I also do some light stretching during my shifts, and work on general mobility exercises on my days off. I've found that if my lower-back-to-feet muscle chain is flexible, my Achilles tendons are less sore as well.