Ask The Experts
The bottom of my feet are killing me at the middle to the end of my shift, my ankles are swollen at the end and all the shoes I buy to help are not helping! What's a good brand shoe to help support my feet so I feel like I'm walking on a cloud? I'm desperate! I'm standing all shift!
Thank you for contacting IPFH. We do not recommend products or brands, but we certainly can tell you some things to do and some qualities to look for in a good work shoe. But first we would suggest that you see a podiatrist, who can assess your feet, determine if there are any conditions or situations that are causing or contributing to your pain and your swollen ankles, and who can also recommend good brands of footwear. When shopping for footwear, we recommend that you use an integrated approach to selecting and fitting. If you click on this link you can read our article on how to go about using the integrated approach.
As you will see in the article, we recommend that you get measured to assure that you know your correct current shoe size (not everyone does; and the size of your feet tends to increase over time). We also recommend padded socks. Because you note the presence of swelling in your ankles, it may be helpful for you to consider using support or compression hosiery (a podiatrist can help you determine whether or not this would be desirable; and it also might be helpful for you to consult your primary care physician to determine whether the swelling could be a result of something other than being on your feet for extended periods). The footwear that you choose should have uppers that can help manage moisture. Well-designed footwear has few seams or raised areas on the inside that can cause pressure points or rub the skin, and should be shaped like your feet (with no pointed toes). Inserts or orthotics can help in reducing pressure while you are standing. Again, a podiatrist can help determine whether or not you would benefit from some type of orthotic support.
Lastly, take every opportunity you can to walk or move around. Walking is much better than standing still, and you should try to do it as much as possible without interfering with your job responsibilities or creating unsafe situations in your area. When you do have a break, try to sit down so that you can take some of the pressure off of your feet. We hope these suggestions will help you, and that you will soon be feeling more comfortable at work.