shoes, foot pain

[fuzzywuzzy, CNA]

What shoes do you wear for work? I wear a pair of sneakers that feel comfortable enough, but after several months of working, my feet HURT. I can barely walk when I get up in the morning. They don't hurt until I get home, and I have to sit there and stretch/massage them. The top of the foot from the ankle to the toes is always tight, the side of my big toes and down along the ball of my foot feels bruised, and my arches ache a little.

I think I have high arches, and from the wear and tear on my shoes it looks like I walk with my feet turned in.

Does anybody else have any of these problems? What kind of shoes do you wear? I backpacked through Europe in a pair of Crocs flip flops this summer and I didn't have these kinds of problems! I was thinking about buying a pair of regular Crocs because a lot of the girls at work wear them (and at least they wouldn't smell, haha), but they're so ugly I wouldn't wear them anywhere else, so I don't want to spend the money on them if they're not gonna help. Or are busted feet just part of the territory for CNA work?

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

I swear by Birkenstocks. SWEAR by them.

[NM nurse to be]

I'm going to follow this thread with interest! I have low arches and turn out, a lot more when I'm tired. I also have a Morton's neuroma in the left foot that isn't bothering me at the moment but buying shoes is really scary because I can't predict what will irritate it. I wonder if Birkies might be good for fore foot pain?

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

Birkenstock's are God.

Depending on the shoes I would alternate between Morton's neuroma pain (without the neuroma) and plantar fasciitis. I went through a LOT of shoes trying to find something that worked.

I bought a pair of Birks and my foot pain disappeared. They DO feel wierd for the first week you wear them, because they have an orthopedically accurate foot-bed, but once you get accustomed to it you hate to put on any other kind of shoes.

[yousoldtheworld]

I like Crocs for work.

I got the Specialist ones in white, so they don't have the ugly holes all over them and they are more supportive than the regular Crocs. They aren't really any uglier than any other white clogs, and if you look around on the internet you can get them fairly cheap.

Crocs also makes the Endeavor and the Professional without holes, they are less ugly too. The Alice style and the Juneau style are less ugly than the beach ones, too.

I got mine at 6pm.com for SUPER cheap.

Here are all the Crocs they have: http://www.6pm.com/n/search.cgi?q=crocs&x=0&y=0

They only have certain sizes in some styles, because it's sort of like an "outlet" but if you can find less ugly ones in your size, you can save a TON. I got my Specialists for 20 bucks, but they only had sizes 10 and up in those and the Professionals last time I checked.

[yousoldtheworld]

In white, that is. There are different sizes available in different colors.

[rancelumsden]

I recall having this discussion several times while working in hospital. It's one of those 'depends on who you talk to' kind of things. If you can afford it, or have the insurance, go consult with a podiatrist to at least tell you if you really have an ongoing problem or you simply have bad shoes. Anything else is guessing.

Some people wore Crocs, some who did said they weren't that great and some had the same reaction you've read here --- greatest shoes they ever had. Based on my experience, no agreement with that.

I was always partial to cross trainers. I have to add that I run a 5k, every day, 5 days a week. I did that too when I was in the biz after an 8 hour shift. I've not experienced foot problems other than from time-to-time. But, I'm not you. Cross trainers are stiffer than running shoes and often used for aerobics where you need more support. They're just as cushioned (depending on what brand you get), but don't bend as much. The point is, they provide foot stability which makes them good walking shoes for work.

As a runner, I'm very much aware of foot issues that are often caused by very simple things. Worn out shoes and thin socks. Socks make a whole lot of difference. Heavy athletic socks will give you a lot of relief. A brand like ThorLo, which are expensive, are excellent and will wear a long time. A lot of those 'tube socks' you get are inexpensive, but don't wear well. Also, using gel or the less costly foam rubber that you can cut with a scissors to fit the shoe work well for many people too.

If you go these routes, be sure you have properly fitted shoes that will allow you to add cushioning and heavier socks.

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

Crocs kill my feet. AND my knees.

[yousoldtheworld]

Everyone's feet are SO DIFFERENT that it's really hard to find a good recommendation online.

I saw and heard people rave about Danskos and Nursemates forever. I bought a pair of each and they KILLED my feet. Tried them in different sizes, gave them a while to break in...pure misery. I also kept turning my ankle, so in addition to having sore feet and blisters, my ankle hurt, too. Not to mention, they are super heavy. I always felt like I was clomping around in them. I've found that I just can't wear rigid shoes. I don't know if it's the way I walk or the fact that I'm overweight, but I just need shoes with a lot of cushioning.

I've tried New Balance and other sneakers, but they just aren't that comfortable for me. The way I walk causes my heels to rub and get painful blisters whenever I walk a lot, so I need clogs.

I do like Birkenstocks, but they're just so expensive, and being that I only work part time right now, it's not an expense I can take for shoes that I wouldn't wear out of work, especially since money is ridiculously tight. (I do intend to purchase a pair if I ever manage to get in a decent financial position again.)

SO, for me, Crocs are my best choice. I got them for half price and they suit my feet well. They are the first shoes in a long time that I can wear for a whole shift without feeling like my feet are falling off. I hate the regular ones, but the Specialists feel more supportive and I do have good luck with them.

To the OP, I guess the best thign you can do is go to a shoe store and try on different styles, walk around in them a bit and see what feels best to your particular foot.