Nurses spend their workdays standing and walking on hard hospital floors. High-quality nursing shoes help alleviate various medical conditions.
It includes plantar fasciitis bunions, diabetic neuropathy, blisters, heel spurs, and other foot conditions.
However, nurses must pick protective, comfortable, and adequately supportive footwear.
Orthopedic shoes are some of the most suitable footwear for nurses with plantar fasciitis.
These shoes accommodate various foot conditions and ailments.
How to Pick Suitable Footwear
A well-designed nursing shoe should be comfortable to wear for extended periods.
It should also offer complete coverage to protect it from potential hazards and have efficient surface traction.
Finally, suitable footwear must provide excellent arch support.
It’s necessary to displace body weight throughout the bottom of the foot correctly.
What constitutes a well-designed shoe depends mainly on several factors.
It includes your health, foot architecture, and environment.
No one shoe is best for every healthcare provider.
In addition, some nurses wear different shoes in various healthcare settings.
Different designs offer unique benefits and advantages.
What works well for one nurse may not work well for another.
For instance, some nurses prefer to wear premium tennis shoes.
These shoes provide a lightweight design, flexible architecture, and padding.
As a result, it helps minimize fatigue and reduce the frustration of a shoe with a stiff structure.
Other nurses with particular foot ailments may choose specially designed plantar fasciitis shoes.
These shoes provide the proper support for their physical recovery.
Another popular shoe among nurses is medical clogs.
Medical clogs provide a good balance of protection, support, and comfort during long workdays.
Besides footwear, many nurses invest in specially designed supportive insoles.
High-quality aftermarket insoles help alleviate plantar fasciitis by promoting proper foot posture and weight distribution.
For nurses who struggle to find a comfortable shoe, a high-quality insole may help improve the shoe’s poor design.
In addition, it provides exceptional support to individuals with particular medical conditions.
Insoles won’t wholly fix footwear, but they could improve shoes that otherwise negatively impact foot health.
Plantar Fasciitis Prevention and Recovery
There are various essential factors to consider when treating and alleviating plantar fasciitis.
Each factor influences the type of nursing shoes that are best suitable for you.
Plantar fasciitis affects people differently depending on their health, weight, foot type, and medical condition.
Proper footwear is even more critical when dealing with plantar fasciitis in its more advanced stages.
Factors include the severity of your condition, the shape of your foot arch, and your work environment.
It also includes how much time you spend standing, your recovery status, and the physical therapy you receive.
These factors influence which shoes/orthotics provide you with the necessary support and cushioning for proper prevention or recovery.
Consult a Foot Specialist
You must seek the help of an experienced foot specialist who can diagnose and treat various foot pain conditions and problems.
They’ll help you determine which shoes are best for your situation.
They’ll also ensure you receive proper care and protect your foot effectively from plantar fasciitis.
Finally, the foot specialist will identify any additional complications if you already have a pre-existing condition.
They can recommend custom orthotics and shoes designed to treat your condition.
A foot specialist/doctor may recommend physical therapy, pain relievers/anti-inflammatories, steroid injections, and even surgery in more severe conditions.
However, surgery is usually a rare last resort when no other treatment option works effectively.
Take Preventative Measures
One of the best things you can do for foot health is to take preventative measures.
Make sure you have the proper footwear to protect against plantar fasciitis or at least reduce the risk of developing plantar fasciitis in the first place.
It’s essential for nurses who spend lots of time on their feet daily,
Foot exercises, stretching, good massages, and plenty of rest help improve foot health and comfort.
Purchase Secondary Footwear
Owning several pairs of shoes allows you to utilize footwear to accommodate different situations.
Ensure you replace old/worn shoes immediately and treat medical conditions to minimize the risks of severe foot conditions.
The more time you spend on your feet, the more you should think about taking preventative steps to ensure that your foot health is in an optimal condition at all times.
Improve your Health
A healthy diet and exercise will reduce your overall body weight for overweight individuals with foot problems.
It can significantly improve foot health and reduce stress throughout the foot, arch, and body.
You’ll be able to spend more time on your feet without concern about developing medical conditions or making your situation worse.
Always seek the aid of a medical foot specialist if you have any medical conditions or are concerned about your foot health.
While medication can help reduce pain and inflammation, it is not a replacement or long-term treatment for maintaining proper foot care.
Here are eight tips that you can use to minimize your chances of developing plantar fasciitis.
Eight Tips to Minimize Plantar Fasciitis:
- Perform healthy foot exercises
- Stretch regularly
- Get plenty of rest and recovery (give your feet a break)
- Wear appropriate footwear
- Replace worn shoes
- Utilize supportive orthotic insoles
- Reduce your body weight (if you are overweight/obese)
- Seek medical advice if you have any foot health conditions
There is no guarantee that you can prevent plantar fasciitis. However, you can follow the steps above to improve your foot health and reduce risks, including the tips mentioned above.