Shoes that aren't hideous for plantar fasciitis

[whatshappening101]

Hi

Im about to return to nursing and have an acute medical placement coming up.

I've been suffering from plantar fasciitis for the last 2 months and need recommendations for shoes suitable for work that will be supportive for my sore foot. Now I know they won't be the epitome of style but I need recommendations for a brand that will fit the bill please!

Birkenstock's have been great for mine. Go on their own website and you'll find some that are specifically designed for medical professionals.

Get some FootBalance custom insoles. They are brilliant and will make any closed shoe perfectly fitted to your feet, supportive of your gait and comfortable. They also help to cure it.

Honestly the best thing I ever did and I had chronic plantar fasciitis for years.

Thanks both for the recommendations.
Will check out the Birkenstock's. I have an appointment with the orthopaedic podiatrist at the end of the month for insoles (dd and dh both see him). So hoping insoles and good shoes help!

The best thing is what you are doing seeing a podiatrist to be measured for insoles, I suffer with PF it is very painful, I have been wearing insoles for 18mths now been brilliant for me really made a difference. You do have to get used to them though and gradually build up the wear time. Good luck OP. I have huge respect for nurses you do a fantastic job.

I used to fit FootBalance insoles and a lot of our clients came to us as recommended by their podiatrists. It will make a world of difference.

They are fat better and more sophisticated than NHS insoles I have experience with, so if you can afford them it is well worth it. They are usually fitted in independent sports shops or specific running shops. Depends where you are whether there is a retailer that offers them.

My gp said insoles..bought some on eBay for a tenner and, touch wood, no more plantar f. Still wearing my normal shoes.

My GP recommended Fit Flops when I had plantar fasciitis about 8 years ago. I haven't bought any other make of shoe since and have been pain free.

If you get Hotter shoes, the insole can come out to be replaced with your NHS insoles. I've got some that are a bit trainer like, not too hideous.

Alternatively, something like a pair of DMs so there is room for the insoles. That's the issue really, having room for the insole.

Crocs are good too, if you can get away with them.

FitFlops all the way. I have plantar fasciitis, Morton’s Neuroma and Achilles tendinitis (!!!) and they really stop the majority of the pain. They have some lovely covered shoes that don’t look medical.

I've just bought some Clark's ultimate comfort ones with a slight wedge to them. I heard good things about the unstructured but they just didn't suit me

Yes, as far as specific shoes I can definitely second and third recommendations for fitflop. Far and away the best for comfort and also support your arch quite well. Crocs don’t have the support for your arch thar is needed so are best avoided (although I agree that they are similarly comfortable).
Fitflop were the only thing I wore for years when my PF was really bad.

Vionic make shoes for this purpose - great range and very comfortable, made such a difference to my life!

Another’s sufferer here and I wear Birkenstock’s with no pain (all day at work)

I wear Crocs. Not the most attractive, but oh, so comfortable. They have some now that look more like proper shoes.

Fitflops kill my feet when I have an outbreak. Far too stiff for me. The most important thing is that your shoes are flexible with lots of cushioning.

It does also depend on what caused the PF, tbf.

Actually I forgot, Skechers are good too. More cushioned than fitflop. Get the ones that have arch support to prevent overpronation.

I have been suffering for a bit more than a year, my go-to daily shoe is a HokaOneOne ‘Hupana’ - trainers though so annoying through summer (dresses etc). I also like Sanuk yoga mat sandals (Amazon) to wear with dresses.

OH also my absolute musts are Oofos recovery flip flops. I guess you’d wear them around the house when not working. They’re soooooo cushioned, far more than crocs. Which really works for me.

Actually now that I think about it pp is actually correct, some people do find Fitflop too rigid and for the last year or so that I suffered I had switched over completely to Skechers and they are the ones that were even comfortable because they’re soft and squishy (sorry, I have memory processing issues and sometimes forget glaring details like that!) However given that you are a nurse I don’t think you’d be allowed to wear them at work. You could wear them outside of work though.

Sorry that should say the Skechers were even more comfortable.

Thanks for all The recommendations! I will have a look at the ones suggested. Glad to hear from those who have used insoles with good effect. I'm not at work at the moment so living in trainers (mourning the loss of my pretty shoes).

Fingers crossed the insoles and some decent shoes mean my foot is ok at work

I had PF for years, am also a hospital HPC.
Last year it was awful and I bought Dr. Scholl insoles off Amazon.
I wore them for a couple of months and haven't had foot pain since.

After a couple months almost pain free I’m in a lot of pain again now after taking up the school run and walking work outs. Which is weird because I was fine for the first 6 weeks of Couch to 5k lately but then the 25 mins solid running killed my feet. I have no idea what’s going on 😭 nothing works

You’ll have to ease into running very carefully. I’ve not suffered with it for several years now but I will never be able to run again as it just comes right back and I’m not willing to do that to my feet.

If you’re determined to run and you don’t wear insoles in your running shoes, doing that should help a bit. Again, custom fitted is important (because they need to support your arch exactly). Lots of stretching exercises throughout the day. Running really exacerbates it as it tightens the hamstring which pulls on the fascia). I would give it a lot longer before going start doing 25 minutes running.