Getting the Best Nursing Shoes for Plantar Fasciitis

Nurses spend most of their shift/day on their feet leaving themselves vulnerable to the discomfort and pain associated with plantar fasciitis. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians (2005) plantar fasciitis occurs when the plantar fascia (the band of tough fiber on the bottom of your foot that runs from the toes to the heel) or arch of the foot becomes swollen.

It results in tremendous heel pain that increases with walking. It usually affects people that spend a lot of time on their feet, like nurses. As a matter of fact, plantar fasciitis accounts for over 600,000 clinic visits each year in America (Cole, Seto, & Gazewood, 2005).

The good news, no, the great news is that it is most definitely preventable. How you ask. Well, our good friends from the American Academy of Physicians points out that by simply wearing a good quality comfortable shoe, you can gain tremendous benefits in terms of reduced pain, and inflammation.

You might now be asking yourself, “How do I even go about getting the best nursing shoes for plantar fasciitis?” First off, selecting the best nursing shoes for your feet will make a world of difference when you suffer from inflammation of the plantar fascia. What you need to look for in a good quality nursing shoe is:

• A lightweight firm foot bed to provide the support your arch really needs.
• A mid foot support design that stabilizes the foot
• Arch support that provides a more comfortable fit and reduces weariness
• Flats or non-elevated shoes that permit all of the foot to support the body evenly
• A toe box with room to wiggle your toes and allows them to do their job-balance

Don’t leave the store until you have found the shoe with the absolute best comfort and support that your feet deserve. Another bit of good news is that there are many brand name shoes specifically designed for nurses. The right nursing shoes can be found in collections from Nurse Mates, Birkenstock, Dansko, Cherokee, Landau, etc.

Regardless of whether you are a nurse or not, getting the best shoes for plantar fasciitis is critical if you want true relief from this condition, so get out there and begin comparing what various, retailers, and manufacturers may be able to offer you.

References

• American Academy of Family Physicians. (2005). Information from your family doctor: Plantar fasciitis: What should you know. American Family Physician, 72(11), 2247-2249.
• Cole, C., Seto, C., & Gazewood, J. (2005). Plantar fasciitis: Evidence-based review of diagnosis and therapy. American Family Physician, 72(11), 2237-2241.

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