Dr. Scholls anyone?

[CorporalAris]

So, I recently got a warehouse job to give me some extra income in the summer. At this job, I am on my feet for at least six hours straight, usually eight to ten hours straight.

Now, I'm fine with the hours, that's not the issue. The thing is, I have very high arches on my feet.

Cavus feet: "Cavus foot is a condition in which the foot has a very high arch."

As a result, I also suffer from foot-drop and hammer-toes.

Now, today being my fifth day of pulling an average of eight hour days in a row, I appear to have sprained my ankle. Where the ankle connects to the foot, (my right foot), on the right side, right under the bump on the outside of the foot from the fibula, that's what swollen.

I'm gonna nab a ace bandage, put some ice on it, and lift it, and tomorrow get some Dr. Scholls. Will that be enough?

 

[CorporalAris]

That depends...in addition to being on your feet for a really long time, how much manual labor are you doing? What kind? Any heavy lifting involved?

At most, I lift maybe ten or fifteen 50 lb boxes throughout my day, and forty or fifty lesser weight boxes, all for less than thirty seconds. So not too much of labor.

The rest of the day is spent at a fast walk or jog on a concrete floor.

Every day my feet hurt and ankles hurt, but I figured that it was just normal for a long day on my feet. Now that I apparently sprained my ankle, and I did nothing out of the ordinary, other than work, I need to change something.

 

[bounder]

what kind of shoes are you wearing?

 

[CorporalAris]

::crosses fingers::

Do you have medical insurance?

Through my parents yes, but I am going to avoid that for now. I'd like to find a solution before involving medical.

what kind of shoes are you wearing?

I was originally wearing flat Airwalks, but moved to hiking/running shoes recently, because they helped my ankles more.

 

[CorporalAris]

...

Fuck that, I'm getting an ace bandage for today, but I'm calling my doctor. I just looked at it when I went to ice it, and it's red, swollen, and has bluish purplish bruising in it.

 

[Yngbldhwk]

After you see your doc, skip the Dr. Scholl's insoles and, instead, go to a good running shoe store and pick up some Spenco insoles. With your type of foot, cushioning and shock absorption are the key.

You can also try icing your ankle down in a cold water bath w/some OTC gel packs that you can store in the freezer, but don't keep your foot immersed more than twenty minutes.

Having that much foot and ankle pain at your age is not normal, even with the lifting involved in your job, and you may want to contact a good podiatrist or orthopaedic surgeon that specializes in foot and ankle problems. They could prescribe custom-made orthotics, and although they're expensive, they may give you the most relief. And they'll be worth it. When your feet, you hurt, all over.

 

[Gamby6]

I bought myself a Dr.scholls sandal a week ago from wal-mart and gotta say they are quite comfy. I have no problem with my feet so the one I bought is normal one. And it's 45 bucks quite cheap.

 

[CorporalAris]

^ Excellent advice, Yngbldhwk (though I think foot and ankle pain isn't that abnormal for his age, especially since he's such a hard worker; but like you said, seeing a specialist wouldn't be a terrible idea at all...)

Corporal, you might also want to look into federal/state/local labor laws. I'm not very familiar with labor laws myself, but it seems to me like there should be some protections for you that the company should abide by. I definitely believe you're entitled mandatory breaks throughout the day, but I'm not sure if federal or state laws determine how many you get and how long they should be.

And it might not hurt to talk directly to your boss about your foot condition, see if there's anything he can do to help you. If he's a nice guy, maybe he can periodically put you to work on stuff that gets you off your feet now and then...

Oh I get a thirty minute paid break, but it still doesn't really help. The picking aspect of my job, where I move at a brisk pace for a few hours straight seems to be the most problematic, since after wrapping my foot up, I packed all day, standing in the same place, and I had less issues.

I do know how to wrap feet and ankles tho, so that will do until I get into the doctors office. Couple of years of playing sports where your dad was the coach does that.

 

[seven_sins]

The Spenco insoles saved me when I had heel problems. They also make insoles with arch supports, which you might need for your arches. Foot problems can be difficult to heal if you can't stay off of your feet. You might consider going to a foot specialist.

 

[BiMike]

You have got to realise that suddenly you have changed your life style such that you are on your feet 8 hours each day walking on a concrete floor, carrying packages. Even someone with no past foot problems could find that a bit of a strain. However find yourself some comfortable walking shoes or boots with a good arch support and providing you have not incurred any injury over time you should be fine. However if there are signs of bruising you should certainly see a doctor, you may need additional ankle support.

 

[CorporalAris]

Thought I should follow up on this, I went to the doctor, and recommended a Podiatrist, whom I see on the seventh.

He noted that my sprain was a "rolling" injury, in which I sprained and slightly tore my posterior talofibular ligament on my right foot, hence the bruising. (A rolling injury I sustained without rolling my ankle.......)

He also noted that when I walk, I walk on the side of my right foot. So he told me to see a specialist. I'll let ya know how that turns out.