Nurses & Healthcare Providers

Prolonged standing and walking on the feet can place excess stress on the foot and ankle tendons, muscles and ligaments, contributing to the development of swollen, tired feet and even more severe foot pain.

Feet are really quite an amazing part of your body.  Almost one-quarter of the bones in the entire body are in your feet—each foot has 26 bones. Thirty-three joints make the feet flexible, and 19 muscles control movement of foot parts. Tendons stretch tautly between muscles and bones, moving parts of the feet as the muscles contract. Multiple arches, constructed like small bridges, support each foot and provide a springy, elastic structure to absorb shock. Numerous nerve endings in the feet make them sensitive. And the whole structure is held together by more than 100 ligaments.

Much of the foot pain we experience comes from overworked lower limbs. Movement of the foot is controlled by four groups of muscles in the leg. These muscles get a workout not only when our feet are visibly moving, but even when we stand still, because they help keep us balanced and upright. When these muscles become fatigued their ability to properly support the feet is diminished and can cause discomfort. Standing in place for long periods also tends to result in a pooling of blood in the lower extremities, which can cause uncomfortable swelling.
 

What You Can Do

1. Reduce the time spent standing or walking: Alternate standing and walking with sitting whenever possible. Sitting a few minutes every hour can provide some relaxation and relief for tired legs. If sitting is not an option, walking will provide benefits by increasing blood flow to the legs. When walking is not an option, shifting balance from one leg to the other will allow one leg to rest while the other supports the body. For swelling, put feet up on a chair or other structure when possible.
2. Use insoles, inserts or orthotics: If you have abnormal foot mechanics, such as overpronation/flat arches, an arch support may help keep your foot in the correct position, supporting your arches and reducing stress on your feet, lower legs and back.
3. Wear supportive and comfortable shoes: Supportive shoes are extremely important. Soft shoes might sound comfy, but generally don’t provide the necessary support for the foot. Today many shoes employ new technology to aid in absorbing shock, distributing weight and supporting the foot. Selecting the one right for your personal situation is key to avoiding foot pain. Proper fit is also important—shoes that are too big or too small will add to foot fatigue and foot pain.
4. Rotate Shoes: Changing shoes every other day or even during the day can help to alleviate foot pain and fatigue by changing the pressure points and support of your foot, providing relief to overused areas and activating different muscle groups.
5. Sock Selection:  The right socks can make a big difference in your comfort. Socks also use technology to help the foot in many ways, such as wicking moisture away from the foot to keep it dry. Antibacterial or copper socks can help reduce foot odor, anti-friction socks can prevent blisters and hot spots, many socks have additional padding under the balls or heels of the foot or across the instep, and some socks even support the arch with additional stretch material.