That annoying nursing shoe problem...

Roy Fokker, BSN, RN · Jan 4, 2005

I've heard nothing but good about Dr. Scholls stuff. Mother swears by them (she's a tad overweight and is starting to suffer from pain).

goodknight · Jan 4, 2005

Have you tried Merrells? they're very comfortable to walk/stand in for long periods of time. I know they make several shoes specificaly for nurses.

plumrn, BSN, RN · Jan 4, 2005

I've had many years of foot pain, plantar fasciitis the worst, but since I started wearing Nike Air with the airliner insoles, (I think it is the classic walking shoe?), I've not had any problems. My body, and mind might be tired, but my feet could work another shift if I had to.

saskrn · Jan 4, 2005

I worked in hospitals for four years (been a nurse for fifteen) and *always* had foot problems. Plantar fasciitis being the worst, but also bone spurs and generalized relentless pain. I'm back to the old drawing board again after ten years either in home health or grad school, and I do NOT want sore feet! I bought a pair of white Crocs shoes, they're very light and squishy and made of this nifty material that sort of molds to your feet, but if anyone else has any bright ideas I'd love to hear them... thanks in advance!

I have multiple arch issues and am recovering from multiple foot fractures, brusing etc, and Lord know what else is going on in my foot! Anyways, I have learned the hard way that the ONLY shoes I can wear that provide me any kind of support/pain relief to the arch, heal and metatarsals are Birkenstocks. I quite literally can't wear anything else.

ktwlpn, LPN · Jan 4, 2005

I had plantar faciitis that was finally resolved after I got the custom orthotics-I wore them every day for probably 3 years straight and have never had a re-occurence.They were pricey but it was well worth it.Any shoe I buy must have good arch support-my nursing shoes and sneakers get replaced at least annually.....I used to wear a pair until they fell apart but you just can't do that.When you get older and are on your feet all day you have to spend the money for good quality foot wear and keep it it up...I miss the 80's when I could wear cheap shoes and all of those nifty pointy toed Nine Wests :crying2: -but I am paying for that now....

maliat · Jan 4, 2005

What really helped me with my plantar fasciatis was getting custom made arch supports. Yes, they're expensive, but improve the comfort and fit of just about any shoe. My mother had the same problems first and made me get the inserts. I paid full price for mine, but I believe that if you have a willing dr. you can a prescription and your health insurance should cover the cost.

llg, PhD, RN · Jan 4, 2005

I've been treated for my plantar fasciitis and heel spurs twice -- by 2 different podiatrists. The first one put me in expensive orthotics, which I had to wear even in my bedroom slippers and the second one a few years later gave me 3 cortisone injections in each heel over a period of 2 months. Both methods of treatment worked.

Have you actually been to a podiatrist and received any such treatment? Some people hesitate to go, but I was quite satisfied with the results of both types of treatment.

I also have chronic knee problems and my orthopedist gave me a great piece of advice about shoes. He advised me to CHANGE my shoes every couple of hours -- to not wear the same type all day. He pointed out that wearing the same shoe (or same type of shoe) for an extended period of time puts the pressure on the same points. That is true no matter how good that one pair of shoes is. By changing your shoes, you vary the points of stress and pressure. He advised all of his patients to keep a 2nd pair of shoes of work and to change them every couple of hours. That advice helped me and has helped some of my friends.

llg

snowfreeze, BSN, RN · Jan 4, 2005

Such an interesting subject, I am a nurse who used to be a farrier specializing in corrective horseshoeing. I will have to do some research but I think I can work with most of your complaints.

Mommy2Katiebaby · Jan 5, 2005

That's what I used to wear, (Birkenstocks, that is) long long ago - they were better than anything else I found. I was always so sore I could barely walk after a shift, though.

Mommy2Katiebaby · Jan 5, 2005

I haven't been to a podiatrist yet, mostly because since I quit hospital nursing I haven't had any problems! But if they develop again I'll definitely do just that.

unknown99, BSN, RN · Jan 5, 2005

I wore NurseMates for a long time, and just put up with the pain. Then I bought a pair of Birkenstocks.... that is the only kind I will wear now. I no longer have the pain!!!!