Workers at hospitals can’t do their jobs – or enjoy their days – if their feet aren’t in good shape. The floor nurse who walks all day, the surgical assistant who stands for hours at a time in the operating room, and the lab technician who visits dozens of patient rooms every day are all plagued by sore feet. It’s no surprise that hospital employees have more leg, knee, ankle, and foot discomfort than the general population.
According to a national research, nurses who work 12-hour shifts walk four to five miles every day. In the United States, most people have fewer than three. Workers in hospitals have long been on their feet for the most of the day. However, over the last two decades, the average work day has expanded from eight to twelve hours, allowing many healthcare professionals to work three or four days each week. As a result, they’ll have to work harder on their feet, with less time between shifts to recover.
Nurses in hospitals are always on the move, rushing to respond to a call button, collect medications or water, or check an IV line. They are in charge of a large number of patients who have a variety of medical problems. They’re either leaning over a patient’s bed to monitor vital signs or standing at their station updating patient charts when they’re not moving. Standing still is taxing on the body; it reduces blood flow to the lower extremities and produces discomfort and stiffness in the feet, legs, and lower back.
The best way to keep hospital personnel’ feet healthy is to provide them with high-quality support and comfort:
Anatomically correct heel base that fits snugly
Excellent support for the arch
Cushioning for the hospital’s concrete or tile floors.
Patients can stand and walk more easily with good traction and balance.
Socks made of wool or wool blends that wick away moisture
Experts advise wearing two different pairs of shoes on different days of the week. Repetitive and overuse injuries can result from wearing the same shoes every day with the same pressure points. Every 8–10 months, shoes should be replaced.
By improving circulation, compression stockings can aid with fatigue, soreness, and edema. Throughout the day, make an attempt to stretch your legs and foot, particularly the plantar fascia.
Hospital employees walk as many miles as most competitive athletes, and they can’t afford to ignore their physical well-being. Being unable to walk due to a foot or ankle problem can have long-term effects that cost both time and money.
Invest in custom-made orthotics from IDEASTEP Orthotics if you’re a healthcare practitioner who wants to remain moving in comfort. We have a wide range of orthotic inserts to fit every type of shoe. Our orthotics can be custom-fitted and ordered from the comfort of your own home, allowing you to keep up with your hectic schedule.
