As a nurse, if
there is one part of your body that takes constant abuse, it's your feet. If constant physical stress leads to foot
issues, it can put a tremendous halt to your day to day actions. As a nurse, sometimes running room to room
can take a toll your feet, and if it does, you can be forced to take time away
from work. The good news is there are a
few things you can do to avoid foot injuries in the first place.
Common Foot Problems
Painful feet
can affect our ability to enjoy the most basic activities in our daily lives.
Thankfully, many foot conditions can be easily prevented or treated by wearing
properly fitting footwear or using the right over-the-counter foot care
products.
- Achilles Tendonitis- this condition is fairly common. The pain originates along the back of the leg near the heel. The Achilles tendon is the largest tendon in the body, and connects the calf muscle, to the heel bone. This tendon is vital to running, walking or even standing.
- Arch Pain / Arch Strain- there can be numerous causes for arch pain. The number one cause of arch pain is plantar fasciitis. The plantar fascia is a band of fibers the extends from the surface of the foot to the heel. Excessive stretching can create planter fasciitis, which results in inflammation, and pain. The pain can be extreme, and can lead to a bone protruding, which can then make it difficult to walk.
- Arthritis- Arthritis is inflammation of one or more of your joints. It can cause pain and stiffness in the small joints of the foot and ankle. There are more than 100 forms of arthritis, many of which affect the foot and ankle. All types can make it difficult to walk and perform activities you enjoy. For minor arthritis pain of the foot, over the counter medications such as ibuprofen can help relieve pain, and reduce swelling. For more severe pain, a podiatrist can advise the best course of treatment, which may include steroid injections, and special shoe inserts.
- Athletes Foot- this condition is technically named tinea pedis. It is very contagious, and can be picked up in locker rooms, gyms, anywhere the foot touches the surface bare on the floor. This condition causes peeling, scaling, itching or burning. While it is common among athletes, it is not limited to this group, anyone can develop athlete's foot. Treatments can begin with, over the counter products, creams, cleansers, and sprays. If treatments are not successful a physician can prescribe medications to clear up the problem.
- Corns- a corn is layers of dry skin caused by friction. Nurses are often bothered by corns from the constant running room to room and being on your feet for long hours. There are pads available over the counter that help dissolve the corn, and switching shoes are important, giving pressure points on the foot a break can be a great help. Corns can be painful and could lead to infection, so it's important to treat them sooner rather than later.
- Heel Spurs- if you ever have a heel spur, you know how painful this can be. The indications are generally after walking. After resting, as you stand, a pain is very noticeable in the heel. This is due to, the swelling that occurs once the foot is resting. A bone protruding is the culprit, and the comparison from most sufferers is similar to having a nail in your foot as you attempt to walk.
- Hammer Toes- this condition is often brought on by wearing shoes that are inappropriate in size, or simply not a good fit. Wide feet squeezed into a narrow shoe are never a good idea. Top that off with walking in a wrong fitted shoe and walking on it all day, and hammertoes are created. The best solution is to avoid this. Be sure shoes are not only proper length, but proper width as well. Alternate shoes every other day and this should help avoid bone and joint malformations.
- Neuropathy- this condition is fairly common among diabetics, however, it can affect anyone. Your feet may feel numb, or have a tingling feeling. Most people describe this as uncomfortable, and often like small needles stabbing at the bottom of the feet. This can also manifest as numbness, as if feet are asleep.
Foot problems
can put a stop to everything. If you are unable to walk it certainly limits
what and where you can go, including a job.
A podiatrist is the best option for foot pain that last for more than 3
days, and always remember to wear proper fitting shoes.
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