Standing for long periods of time...

[Virgil]

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...is very hard for me to do. Basically, when I stand for more than 1-2 hours or so, my feet begin to hurt a lot (I have flat feet) but I feel 100% better when I sit down. Apparently, my father had the same problem and decided to do pediatrics instead of surgery. The only problem is that I've wanted to be a surgeon ever since I was a child. Has anyone ever had this problem, and is it something you get used to? Should I see a podiatrist or something?

 

[H_Caulfield]

Not sure exactly how you'd go about getting set up for it, but you can definitely just get inserts for your shoes that will totally clear up your problem. I'm a bit more concerned about my lower back and shoulders...I'll bet that's not such an easy fix.

 

[smq123]

...is very hard for me to do. Basically, when I stand for more than 1-2 hours or so, my feet begin to hurt a lot (I have flat feet) but I feel 100% better when I sit down. Apparently, my father had the same problem and decided to do pediatrics instead of surgery. The only problem is that I've wanted to be a surgeon ever since I was a child. Has anyone ever had this problem, and is it something you get used to? Should I see a podiatrist or something?

Why don't you wait until third year to figure out what you like? If you really are a pre-med this is too early. If, after your surgery rotation, you still want to do surgery, then you can worry about it.

I swore I'd hate surgery and wanted to do infectious disease ever since immuno in 2nd year. Now, as a third year, I've started to dread the non-surgery rotations, because I really enjoy being in the OR. People change their mind a lot in med school.

 

[Blade28]

I did a quick search using the keyword "standing" and found these recent results:

Back stretches for OR and standing??
Standing all day....
Standing the whole shift and good shoes
Best shoes/shoe inserts for standing all day
Do you get used to standing while working...

 

[Bolo]

Work on strengthening your abdominal muscles--that should help.

 

[Chronic Student]

Couple of things to try.

First off, I'm overweight and have foot problems. So, I know what youse talkin' about.

I work in Neurosurgery and it is common for us to have 4-6 hour cases and not rare to have 10-12 hour ones. My dogs bark like hell.

I found that Birkies were really easy on my feet once they molded to them and it has greatly reduced my pain. So, my suggestion is to find your self some really comfortable shoes, even if they look goofy. Be they Birkenstocks, Rockports or the dreaded SAS.

The second thing is trying orthotics and the third would be seeing a podiatrist.

If your feet hurt you're going to be miserable, period. Do something about now.

Just my .02 cents.

-Mike

 

[Winged Scapula]

I also find that you get used to it...at least as long as you find some reasonably comfortable shoes. The more I stood (on different occasions) the more I got used to it.

Since I've been off work, I haven't had to do that much standing...until recently when I was moving and was standing or walking for several hours without a break, in sandals. My feets hurt quite a bit, just like they used to before I acclimated. Since I start work tomorrow, I'd better get back into shape soon!😀

 

[Blade28]

I think I'm getting out of practice too - not much standing around in the lab. The longest I'll stand continuously is 2-3 hours, which isn't long at all.