Foot issues.. suggestions??

[zippy-kat]

LOTS of nurses here wear the Zcoils. They swear by them.

Jenn, I have tons of feet/leg problems, too (extrememly high arches, broke the left foot twice, sprained the right ankle, have a condition where the muscles are stronger than the bones, and I have heel spurs). I *REALLY* like Ryka's. They seem to have the most support of anything I have tried (nike, adidas, etc.) and are fairly reasonable in price. Not only that, they come in "cute-sy" styles which offer just as much support as the regular tennis shoe.

I don't like the look of the zcoils but I do want to try them on next time I see them. Gosh, you know you're getting old when you start trading in your sexy killer heeled peeptoes for who-cares-what-they-look-like-as-long-as-they-have-support! (What's next?! Granny panties?! I think not! LOL )

[Medusa]

I don't like the look of the zcoils but I do want to try them on next time I see them. Gosh, you know you're getting old when you start trading in your sexy killer heeled peeptoes for who-cares-what-they-look-like-as-long-as-they-have-support! (What's next?! Granny panties?! I think not! LOL )

That made me laugh! I told my son "Oh ok, my girlfriends get to wear strappy little numbers and now I'm forced to wear pogo shoes." But they do work and I don't wear them everywhere, just when I need to.

[Daisy and Delilah]

Jennie, I kniow what you mean. Foot pain is relentless.

Try Aspercreme. Rub it into the area that's going to hurt, before leaving for work. Take it with you and use it there too. It has no smell so no one will know. I also suggest a brisk foot rub when you get home. First, massage your feet and ankles and later, apply some Icy Hot or whatever you like. Also, put ice packs on your ankles/feet after coming home. I actually ordered some ankle/foot packs online. The cold lasts for too short of a time though. Other packs are much longer lasting. If you're having any burning with the pain, I like aloe gel(found in the suntan lotion section here).

Do you mind taking Ibuprofen? That or Tylenol might help while you're there too, to get you through the shift.

I find that Dr. Scholl's gel heals and regular arch supports for women are the best for me. Some others were too hard and made my feet hurt worse.

Good luck. I hope something helps.

[Catlady711]

I have flat feet and my feet tend to 'roll' in to the inside in my shoes. I bought some Dr. Scholls arch support inserts that were advertized specifically for helping the rolling problem as well as an arch support and help with heel spurs (which I don't have yet).

My dr. says they are the best you can buy for that problem without going into the special shoes that cost $300 a pair and are custom made. I also buy the Dr. Scholls shoes with the same arch support built in. Between the two they help my feet alot. The insoles cost about $25 per pair (here anyways) and the shoes about $30 per pair (here anyways).

Other than that, a good foot soak, massage help. Also while you're working try stretching up on your toes every 15 minutes or so and shifting your weight back and forth between feet helps some.

Here's the shoes and insoles I use.

http://www.amazon.com/Dr-Scholls-Dyn.../dp/B000FKHHQA

http://www.shoesource.ca/mens_athlet...l#dr%20scholls (third shoe down the list called sidestep)

[columbine]

I agree that taking ibuprofen or naproxen (naproxen lasts longer) could definitely help, as could gel insoles (the ones marked "athletic" are good!) You might want to try shifting your weight, picking up your feet, and wiggling your toes frequently to help keep the circulation healthy. Make sure your socks are 100% cotton, and that your orthotics are up to date (sometimes they need to be redone as your feet adapt to varying circumstances). If your ankles are hurting, you might do better with boots that give your ankles some structural support. Stick with flat or low heels, cushy crepe or soft rubber soles, and get mentholated powder to put in your socks.

And if there's someone you can shanghai into the job, get a bottle of nice peppermint foot lotion and have them massage your feet at every opportunity! You can do it yourself if your knees and hips don't grump about it too much.

Love, Columbine

[jennielynn1970]

I did buy some insoles, but I didn't put them in the Easy Spirit sneakers I bought the other day. I put my orthotics in. I'm just wondering if maybe those are bad for me at this point because they are over 15 years old, and my feet have probably changed since then. I know it doesn't help that I'm overweight.

I know my feet pronate inward. My ankles are really crappy. I've fallen down stairs repeatedly. I've sprained my ankles just walking a flat surface. My one doctor wanted to do surgery about 20 years ago, to shorten the tendons that were stretched out, but I decided against it.

I'm going to see if I can get a pair of the RYKA sneaks that Tonya mentioned. They have some that are made especially for people who have flat feet, or feet that pronate inward, and they aren't too expensive. Cost is really a big factor for me at this point. I bought the Easy Spirit, and they were 39.99 on sale at Macy's. I have an older pair of them, but they were shot. I used to only ever buy Saucony sneakers, but I just couldn't afford them any longer. They fit my feet really well, and were great when I used to run every day. I can't believe I used to be that active and that thin... My body just is so out of shape right now, so maybe that is all linked together??

I will make an appointment with a podiatrist though. That is at least covered under my medical insurance. The one I used to go to is in really poor health and isn't practicing any longer, which is sad on both counts. He is a great guy, and a wonderful doctor. It's hard finding a new doc you like and can trust. I only ever went to the ER with my broken feet, so I never followed up with a regular foot doctor... bad I know.

I do try to stretch up on my toes while I'm standing there. I probably look silly, but I try to stretch when I can. I can't do anything about putting cream on my feet while I'm there. I get 15 minutes break only after 4hrs, and I usually try to sit for a little during that time.

I did buy a Dr. Scholls foot spa at Walgreens. It was only $29, and I thought, well, I can try to see if it helps. Not sure if it does. Didn't know if I should do heat or cold actually.

I'll have to try the doctor, try the Ryka shoes and see if I can hunt down some Aspercreme or something like that as well. I do take Ibuprofen at night before bed to try to help the foot ache.

[shais_mom]

my neighbor uses frozen water bottles and rolls them on the under side of her foot and heel.
my dad had some $$$$ insoles/orthotics from a dr they were getting really broken down was in a lot of pain in his hips and legs and last year went to Meijer's and they have a machine made by dr scholl's where you stand on it and tells you what kind of insoles you need. he got them for about $30 and swears by them.
http://www.footmapping.com/ try to see if you can find a place that has the machine
good luck!
I swear by New Balance tennis shoes altho am wearing men's nike now for work I need a good sturdy shoe for my weak foot.

dang - it looks like the only stores that have them are Meijer's and mostly in OH and Kentucky.

[jennielynn1970]

See, I'm thinking that maybe because my orthotics are about 15-20 years old, and I'm about *gasp* 100 lbs heavier now than I was back then, that these orthotics just can't stand up to what pressure my body is giving them.

I'm just so used to wearing my Naot sandals, and not wearing any shoe all summer, that maybe my foot is rebelling against that too.

There are a number of forces contributing to this, I think, and my body is pretty freaking unhappy about it right now, lol.

All I know is that my feet feel like someone ran them over from above the ankle, and I'm walking like a crippled, old, hobbling woman.

It's so not attractive.

[Karen]

Gosh, you know you're getting old when you start trading in your sexy killer heeled peeptoes for who-cares-what-they-look-like-as-long-as-they-have-support!

In that case, kiddo, I musta been BORN old! As a child they almost made me wear braces on my feet, as I tended to stand on the outside edges of them. When all my friends had clogs, I wasn't allowed to - Ma had feet problems because of bad shoes when she was growing up, so if it didn't bend correctly, I wasn't allowed to wear it!

When I was 28, Paul convinced me to see a foot doctor for the first time. When they went to take x-rays, they said "roll your feet to the side," so I easily turned them insides up and stood on the outside edges as I always have. Then the technician said "Okay, turn them on the other side .." and I nearly fell over. I couldn't do it!

I look at the pretty sandals and think "Oh, well, can't do those - my orthotics'd fall out!"

[Catty1]

Jenn - how about Googling some ankle exercises? There might be some stretching involved that could help.

Would your orthotics people have some, perhaps?

I hope you feel better soon - it's a tough break-in period for feet, especially standing still for longer than usual.