feet are in pain

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SUPERNOVA1

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  1. MD/PhD Student
Does anyone else have a problem with their feet killing them (more so then the average clinical student) from all the constant standing during rotations. I mean to the point where you can barely stand. Since dress shoes can only be so comfortable, anyone got any good solutions for this problem such as nice orthotics and such?
 
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Crocs so far have been okay. I haven't worn them but Cole Haan makes dress shoes w Nike air. Pricey but at least they look better than crocs.

I feel your feet pain. Mine hurt from the standing more than the walking.
 
I got MBT's and love them, despite how weird they look. My feet never hurt.

For something a little simpler, Superfeet makes good inserts.
 
Does anyone else have a problem with their feet killing them (more so then the average clinical student) from all the constant standing during rotations. I mean to the point where you can barely stand. Since dress shoes can only be so comfortable, anyone got any good solutions for this problem such as nice orthotics and such?

Don't wear dress shoes 😀
 
Try compression stockings/TEDs. They will help decrease swelling in your feet and your feet will feel better at the end of the day.

And definitely avoid dress shoes!
 
I was wearing some comfy new balance tennis shoes during my surgery rotation and my back was still killing me by the end of the day. I wound up getting some Dr. Scholl's "low back pain" inserts for my shoes and they actually worked pretty well. Definitely worth the $10. They do come in different styles, I'm pretty sure there were foot pain sets.

As for the more formal shoes, I have a pair of Clarks loafers that are very comfortable and usually don't give me any trouble during a clinic day. They have mens and womens styles, if you're looking to buy new shoes.


edit: I found the pair I have.
 
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Try compression stockings/TEDs. They will help decrease swelling in your feet and your feet will feel better at the end of the day.

And definitely avoid dress shoes!


This.

When I was in hs and worked for a Italian resturaunt, I would work 13 hour shifts on the weekend. My feet would be killing me by the end of the weekend so I got some teds. Worked amazing especially if you already have wide feet like I do. Try them out!
 
Don't wear dress shoes 😀

thanks for the responses from everyone. ill check out these shoes. in regards to the above quote, we have to wear dress shoes besides in our surgery rotation.
 
thanks for the responses from everyone. ill check out these shoes. in regards to the above quote, we have to wear dress shoes besides in our surgery rotation.

many of the shoes suggested are hardly "dress shoes" - get something that is business in the front and part in party in the back.

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thanks for the responses from everyone. ill check out these shoes. in regards to the above quote, we have to wear dress shoes besides in our surgery rotation.
You think you do, but you don't. You just need shoes that look dressy in the front, where people can see them. Tons of people wear Danskos as their dress shoes.

I have my comfy shoes, that I wear with scrubs, and in the OR, and then I have a pair of dress shoes that look good and feel good (and cost a lot). Find something comfortable, and then worry about how they look.
 
I bought some Danskos professional and already had some Merrells. I'm a terrible pronator, and while these shoes are far superior to anything else I've tried in the past (and they look appropriate for work), I still feel like I have been on my feet all day. I'd recommed looking into these brands and some others mentioned on this site. In my opinion, they're worth the money. With the cheaper, trendier dress shoes, I'd almost rather chop off my feet at the end of the day than continue to stand.

As a temporary fix, I bought some Dr. Scholl's gel heel inserts for some of my less comfortable shoes. These do help some, but I know it's not long-term. I've also been mixing up the shoes that I wear, rather than trying to do Danskos all week. I find that this changes my pressure points just enough so that I'm not traumatizing the exact same locations every day.

Sounds to me like you would benefit from seeing a podiatrist. I just had my checkup yesterday for the first time in many years, since I've been having foot problems the past few weeks. They can talk to you about any structural problems you might have, and what you can do to be nicer to your feet. They should also be able to build orthotics specifically for use in dress shoes.
 
I got MBT's and love them, despite how weird they look. My feet never hurt.

For something a little simpler, Superfeet makes good inserts.

I tried these on in a store and it seemed like I wouldn't be able to stand for long periods of time in these. I wish that they were just a touch cuter or cheaper. Its hard to justify that much $$ on something so ugly lol.
 
Spent the money on orthotics made for me. Well worth it if you really have a problem (like plantar fasciitis). Many insurances don't cover them, so I would ask before going to the podiatrist if you decide to go that route. Keep in mind they are good for at least 2-3 years (many wear them longer...some say your feet change so you need new ones by that point).
 
I will have to second the MBT suggestion. If I am ever in scrubs, MBTs are on my feet. They are perfect for long calls or surgery. I originally thought the curve at the bottom would be hard to stand on for hours straight, but they actually turn out to be a huge advantage when you get used to them. If you're in an all-day surgery, all you have to do is imperceptibly rock back and forth, from the heel to the ball of your foot, and it is completely refreshing.

The only drawback is the price. They are well over $200 new, depending on the model. I wouldn't own a pair if I didn't find a previous year's model at a spa store, of all places, for 70% off. Even then they were pricey, but totally worth it. You really do have to either be extremely rich or find a great deal in order to own them. Mine are some pretty ugly-looking tennis shoes, but they also make professional black leather shoes (for both guys and girls). I've never seen those fancy ones on sale or clearance, though. The entire pediatric neurology division at my hospital wears them as their main clinic dress shoes.
 
Does anyone else have a problem with their feet killing them (more so then the average clinical student) from all the constant standing during rotations. I mean to the point where you can barely stand. Since dress shoes can only be so comfortable, anyone got any good solutions for this problem such as nice orthotics and such?

Since I am a surgeon, I stand quite a bit. My solution has been:
  • Lose weight; as the pounds come off; the feet feel better at the end of the day.
  • TED hose or good support hose; take them off and reapply them every 4 hours or they get tighter and tighter.
  • Danskos or other shoes with good support; my Danskos are great for standing as are my Birkie Bostons.

The support hose (knee hi are good) were the best thing that I discovered. Trying to keep my weight under control helps both the feet and knees. Experiment with different types of shoes/boots. Some of my colleagues swear by Merrells but I find they don't have good support. Some also like Rockports too. For women, make sure you heels are not too high. This is a time for flat shoes with good support. Running shoes are worthless for standing. If all else fails, have a professional examine your shoes and gait as you may be an underpronater or overpronater and you may need an orthotic.
 
Since I started wearing birki's, I haven't had problems with foot pain (but I don't have to stand so long now! Ah, the joys of being an attending!)

Agree with TEDs. Don't forget to stretch! I had horrible knee pain until someone set me straight on this.
 
thanks for the responses from everyone. ill check out these shoes. in regards to the above quote, we have to wear dress shoes besides in our surgery rotation.


Dansko's are the way to go because (with the exception of the patent leather red, leopard, etc. ones) they really do look like they could be dress shoes when paired with a nice pair of pants.

I have worn mine with dress pants for multiple preceptor visits and they always blend in well. You really can't go wrong with a pair of brown, black, or cordavan colored ones.
 
I find my Danskos incredibly uncomfortable if I'm doing anything except standing still, so on rotations besides surgery I've been wearing these:

http://www.keenfootwear.com/product/ss09/shoes/men/blvd/bandon/black

Goes with scrubs or dress pants and super comfortable for walking. The rubber bumpers aren't noticeable from 5 ft and the gore in the back is covered by pants. Really comfortable if you have a normal-width heel but need a bigger toebox.

Additional props go to Crocs for making the Bistro, which I really like. Great non-slip bottom that doesn't squeek, and no holes up top. Just as good as my Danskos for surgery/ob, although I'm sure they'll last a tenth as long.
 
crocs w/o the holes on top
 
disagree with the crocs

so I am a fat dude ( 5 10 240) and I had the foot problem was wearing nike running shoes & doc martens, swithced to danskos cutters, and am a convert
 
I wear Crocs Malindi to my preceptorship. They are about $30, are super comfortable, and look like dress shoes when worn with pants. I've turned on a few female classmates to these and they love them too. They don't look shiny or rubbery IRL and are easily worn without socks with zero rubbing or blistering.

malindi_10127_pair_001.jpg
 
Does anyone else have a problem with their feet killing them (more so then the average clinical student) from all the constant standing during rotations. I mean to the point where you can barely stand. Since dress shoes can only be so comfortable, anyone got any good solutions for this problem such as nice orthotics and such?

Wear thick socks, running shoes/sneakers, and scrubs. Lighten your white coat as much as you can and sit down more often.
 
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