Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire The agony of da-feet

I hope to get some advice from you back pack and mountain hunters. For the past year my feet have been killing me. The insteps feel like a horse stepped on them and the bottoms feel bruised. It's so bad I need to take ibuprofen daily.\
So far I've been to a podiatrist and gotten custom orthotics (not helpful) and dropped 12 % body weight (some improvement but I have a way to go yet). I spend my day standing on a concrete floor and I've tried all kinds of OTC shoe inserts without luck. Any suggestions would be appreciated!

Thanks,
Doc Paul

Do you stand in one place on a concrete floor, like in front of machinery? Could you put down an anti-fatigue mat, they really work..

When my feet started hurting, 20 years ago, couldn't walk on stream rocks bare footed, five years later I was told I was a diabetic. Watch that blood count. Next time you are in the Doc get a A1C , insist on one. That will give a history.

I do exercises for my feet. I do foot shortening, 1 leg balances and other things to help my feet. I also lift and train bare foot. Doing this has all but cured my foot pain. It sounds weird but it really works.


https://www.t-nation.com/training/tip-strengthen-your-ankles

Might be peripheral neuropathy; can be diabetes related or autoimmune disorder. Also possibly arthritis. X-ray and nerve conduction test would show either if they are suspected.

what a timely thread, I'm in the same boat

I sometimes spend 12 hours a day on steel floors wearing steel toe boots. Good gel inserts help, but my feet still hurt.

What you really need to do is install anti fatigue mats

I stand all geared up at a court house door. I'm having the same issues and I had them last year too. I use a 5 gallon bucket (with 3 gallons of water) with 2 frozen pop bottles in the water. I get my feet really cold and then let them warm up slowly. I then take a warm shower and go to bed. I also started taking Meloxicam (15mg) as an anti inflammatory before I go to bed. I wake up in the morning and after a few steps they limber up and I get to go back to the court house and do it all over again.
kwg

I wear orthotics to correct a giant heel spur and my flat feet. Standing on an anti-fatigue mat actually hurts my feet as it creates an uneven surface.

Thanks for the suggestions. I'm a veterinarian and I usually spend the entire morning standing at a surgery table. I have always had fatigue mats down by the table. But the rest of the day I'm on my feet
either walking or standing in an exam room all with a wonderfully soft concrete floor.

I plan on talking to my doctor about this because diabetes runs in the family. I'll try working out bare footed now that it is above freezing in my garage.

Thanks again,
Paul

Has anybody actually diagnosed your problem? Maybe see a good orthopedist?

I require some really good arch support insoles. I like the Sof-Sol brand inserts...I use the high arch ones for me. The stores usually have a foot mapping device of some sort. I have used the Dr Scholl's before, using the mapping system to get the right "number." However, I prefer the Sof-Sol brand.

You can purchase an A1C test at the pharmacy for $30 or so.

I see you are a smart man Doc. Yes genetics does play a big part of diabetics and if it has run in the family etc.
You are losing some weight, great, now what about stress factors at work?
Don't know your age but please get the A1C at least once a year when you have your're blood work done.

I'd find a GOOD orthopedic doc. Have never met a podiatrist that impressed.

I have a nicer x-ray machine than my podiatrist. Anyway, going to see the "real" doctor in 45 min. I'll ask about the A1c, etc.

Paul

ariat boots cured mine after mutable shots of cortisone.

i am 69now, and at age 15 in a m/c wreck did the following:
right leg
crushed the ankle
broke the front lower leg bone
broke the back lower leg bone in two places
tried to stand up and pushed my ankle up where your knee normally is.
mageled the toe bones.
I have tried for years to explain that stuff to later quacks i have gone too. Scars showing even.
And still some screws in my leg.
They just don't get it
a ortho guy said well we can fuse your ankle. yeah sure.
it comes and goes, but i do use shoe inserts, good tennis shoes help, or good hiking type boots.
when it gets real bad i go to flexeril, and naproxin sodium.

maybe not just insoles, but good quality shoes.

Your a doc, so it may not apply for your application, but Thorogood makes some good boots, and shoes I think.

actually i have said to our family vet more than once, will she treat me too? I swear she is better with the dogs that the quack is with me.
I have diabetes, diagnosed in 95, but have never really had neuopathy. But bad feet is bad feet when you gots to stand on them.
One thing the ortho guy did say was unlike hip or knee replacements, not so much for feet ankles.