Consistently aching or hurting feet after a day (or night) at work is not normal. At Paul Klein, DPM FACFAS, we want to encourage patients to track down the cause of foot pain and resolve it in order to prevent short-term discomfort from becoming a long-term disability. Below are some steps to take:

  1. Schedule a checkup. Your first course of action is to make an appointment at our Wayne office. Our podiatrist, Dr. Paul G. Klein, will want to do an examination of your feet and ankles, as well as get a complete medical history. If an injury or chronic foot condition is diagnosed, the foot doctor will be able to recommend an appropriate course of treatment. In some cases, an orthotic device may be prescribed, which will help reposition your foot or correct a biomechanical issue and thereby reduce foot pain.
  2. Check your shoes. Your choice of footwear obviously has a great impact on the condition of your feet. Shoes with heels that are too high or pointed, narrow toe boxes will cause foot pain and can lead to deformities such as hammertoes and bunions. In addition, shoes that are worn out can begin to cause foot pain as they stretch and lose their support. When buying new shoes, get your feet professionally measured to be sure you are buying the correct size. If one foot is larger than the other (as is the case for many people), buy to accommodate the larger foot.
  3. Build movement into your day. Another cause of foot pain is being in one position for too long. If you have a job that requires you to be on your feet for long periods of time, you want to do some flexing and straightening of your knees, ankles and feet while you stand. You can also try tightening and releasing your calf muscles. When possible, take breaks and sit or elevate your feet. Similarly, for desk jobs and work that has you sitting for the majority of the day, make sure you take time to periodically get up and stretch or take a quick walk to another part of the office. Try to incorporate more walking in your commute (park further from the office, get off the bus or subway a stop earlier) to increase the movement of your feet and improve circulation.

If you work in an environment where there are tools, nails, building materials, heavy machinery or hazardous chemicals, make sure that you are wearing the appropriate safety shoes or foot coverings to prevent injury. We spend a lot of time at our jobs—it’s worth making sure that your feet are as protected and comfortable as possible so you can enjoy your time after work. If you have additional questions about workplace care for your feet, contact Paul Klein, DPM FACFAS at: 973-595-1555.