Painful Feet, Please Help!

nurse4theplanet, RN · Oct 23, 2005

I also have flat foot and would LOVE a reccommendation for shoes. Sometimes I get painfull shooting pains where my arch should be, that feels like steppin on a nail!!!!

prmenrs, RN · Oct 23, 2005

http://www.sanmarcosfootclinic.com/r10.html

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Oct 23, 2005

When I had sore heels I went to a podiatrist. He ordered orthotics that were arch supports and suggested that I buy my shoes at an orthopedic footware store which I have done ever since (25 years). It has made all the difference in the world. The soreness in my heels took a few months to go away as I had plantar fasciitis, but once it healed and I kept my arch supports in all my shoes all the time I haven't had a problem with it since.

analee23 · Oct 23, 2005

I guess you could say I'm somewhat experienced with foot problems, being that I have had 4 surgeries, two that were quite big, on my feet to correct a problem with the tendons in my arches degenerating. My last surgery was pretty recently (July) and I am just now starting to be free from pain. One of the physical therapists I saw said that New Balance tennis shoes are very good, and not as expensive... And I also did orthotics for a number of years that I received from a podiatrist. Seeing a good podiatrist definitely helps in developing a plan, and in getting casted for custom-made orthotics.

Before the surgeries, the podiatrist tried a number of things,I know you said Ice wasn't cutting it, but if you have trouble sleeping due to pain as I did, icing prior to going to bed numbs your feet a bit so you can at least sleep. Naproxen is great for long days because it lasts 12 hours, I took that constantly for about 2-3 years and also wore orthotics... if you do get orthotics, make sure you give your feet time to adjust to your orthotics though if you do receive them, they can make your feet quite sore if you don't! But, a very good pair of tennis shoes is probably the best you can do prior to an appointment.

I currently am free from orthotics because of my most recent surgeries (bone fusions in my arch and a tendon transplant from my big toe to my arch), but my new balance shoes are model #445 and I love them! (I even wore them when I got married... Yes, my dress covered them!

dartnurse · Oct 23, 2005

I am also having this problem. I have had it for 3 years now to the left foot and heel and now the right foot is starting.

My Dr said orthotics need to be bought every 5 years.

Mine I have been wearing for 3 years and didn't help.

Do you have any back problems.

I found that ice didn't help I needed to soak my feet in hot water for relief.

It hurts a lot in the morning and isn't as bad in the afternoon.

I also wear a thicker pair of socks which seems to help a little.

JentheRN05, RN · Oct 23, 2005

I have serious back and foot problems. SO far I have went through several types and brands of shoes. The only one I have found so far is ones that help my feet but not my back.

CROCS.

But my back still aches when I get home, not as bad, but still a good 6-7 out of 0-10 scale, which is far better than the 9 I had before. My dad has talked about getting me some j.Rubios (I haven't tried these yet) so once I try them I'll let you know how they help my back.

WindwardOahuRN, RN · Oct 23, 2005

Within the last year I had been having intense pain coming from the back of my heel that is more prevalent upon rising out of bed in the morning and my recent visit to the doctor dx me as having Haglund's deformity. Has anyone else ever heard of this or had it? I would like to know what you did that help to relieve the pain. Ice just doesn't really cut it and I don't want to rely on Ibuprofen for relief. Oh I forgot to mention that I have flat feet, no arch. Would special made orthodontics help and also can anyone recommend a good pair of nursing shoes. Since dealing with this it's been hard finding shoes that are just totally comfortable.

I really don't know how braces on your teeth would help your feet. I think maybe you meant "orthotics," not "orthodontics"?

LOL---just teasing a bit. I can certainly sympathize with your foot pain problems.

I am prone to plantar fasciitis and found that orthotic inserts made a huge difference in my heel pain. I looked into getting the ones that cost a fortune, and then another nurse told me about Dr. Scholl's inserts. They cost about $12/pair and worked wonders, for me anyway. The ones I use are called "Dyna Step."

Give them a while to work. I felt some relief almost immediately, and almost complete relief after a few weeks. I also wear very supportive New Balance sneakers. I tried them without the Dyna Step inserts and the pain returned after two twelve-hour shifts.

Good luck---working with painful feet is just miserable!

Irene_ma7000 · Oct 23, 2005

Yes been there,done that, I say invested in a pair of Dr.Scholls sole inserts

the gel kind, my feet still feel great after a long days work, oh and stop wearing cheap shoes we are talking about your feet here"take care of your feet and your feet will take care of you"

invest in real nursing shoes .

BlessedbyGod · Oct 25, 2005

Thanks everyone who replied!

Irene- Have we met??? How did you know I wear cheap shoes, lol, sometimes. Not as much now as I use to, though.

Windward- Your right, Orthodontics wouldn't help my feet as much as my teeth. Rofl

Jen- Please let me know how the Crocs work for you.

Dartnurse- I sense, you feel my (foot) pain:bluecry1: . I don't have back problems. Hopefully relief will come to the both of us.

Analee- Has the surgeries relieved your foot pain? I don't have the pain upon going to sleep, it's just when I wake up in the morning or after sitting for a while. :eek:

I'm really believing that a healing is going to come to my little tootsies. I've waited so long to become a nurse and I don't want to be sidelined b/c of something like this.

Irene_ma7000 · Oct 25, 2005

LOL, You are most welcome!

standing on your feet for several hours can be less painful if you prepare

try using support stockings, this helps from getting spider veins. I learned a lot from the veteran nurses.

Good luck and remember to keep smiling

with new happy feet

TPIKE · Oct 25, 2005

I have been thru 10 different pair of nursing shoes trying to ease my horrible foot pain. Our foot doc said I have heel spurs plantar fasciatis (sorry about spelling). Our anesthesia doc gave me a catalog with the best thing to ever hit my feet!!! These clogs are called "CROCS". They are the weight of those foam packing "peanuts" and finally my feet no longer throb. Although they are not particularly stylish, I now own 4 pairs. Word has spread thru our hospital, and dozens of nurses now wear these amazing shoes. They sell for 29.99 in most catalogs and I have seen them at Dicks Sporting goods for the same price. However, there is a knock-off version at payless for 14.99 which are identicle with the exception of being a tad more narrow. Try them, you will NEVER, EVER want to wear a "normal" shoe again.

Good Luck, Terri P