Chefs, Cooks and foot problems

[Pastachef]

In the ten years I have been cooking for a living I have developed multiple foot problems. Someone told me that in this profession the feet are the first thing to go. I was wondering if any of you have experienced this problem aside from the usual weary, aching and tired feet.

[momoreg]

I just had my second surgery for bunions, back in Feb. They would have happened anyway, but work definitely made them worse. I'm really glad I had the surgery, but it was 6 weeks out of work for each foot.

[chrose]

Plantar Fascitis in both feet and a torn plantar ligament from basketball but due to an weakened, inflamed ligament from the fascitis. Ahh what the **** I'm falling apart as my friends on this site can attest to!

[snakelady1]

After spending an 8 hour shift standing at the end of a buffet line carving beef I developed bone spurs on both heels. A great podiatrist and orthotics have made it possible for me to work long shifts without pain. 6 years with the same pair of orthotics money well spent( $300 for the pair) and still going strong

[layjo]

Sorry yall are experiencing foot pains! Me, myself, I have only had problems when wearing a new pair of shoes for about the first few weeks. Then they feel comfortable. I like to wear socks that have thicker material on the bottom, they aid in my comfort.

[Greg]

A broken bone in my ankle from a slip and fall in a mat-less kitchen. FOH managers were responsible for ordering cleaning supplies; guess they didn't think de-greaser all that important. It has never really completely healed; now I can tell when it's going to rain!

[LoriB]

Oh boy - can I ever relate to this thread! (Bunions (ouch! momo- would like to know about your surgery, I'm scared) , plantar fasciitis, broken toe that doesn't want to heal. Misery loves company! I heard from another chef that the orthotics never worked for her - so never wanted to spend that much money - would be curious to hear from others on this investment.

[Pastachef]

I can empathize with all of you. LoriB, I finally got orthotics myself. At first, I didn't think they were helping, but when I tried to take them out of my shoes it was impossible to walk by mid-morning. So they do help some. Depending upon what your foot problem is, they could help a lot. When I went to work at the University I quickly found out that I was born with short bones I my feet. While I did the housewife/mommie thing I could sit down when my feet hurt, and I thought the pain was normal from being so busy. Working is another thing though. Now I'm rarely pain free without orthotics and Ultram. I hope all of you have found relief in some way.

[momoreg]

Well, LoriB, I was one of those freaks of nature that had bunions, not only on the instep, but on the outstep too. Last year, I found a surgeon who was only willing to do 1 foot at a time, and he did not think my outer bunions were causing me enough pain to operate. I should've found a new Dr. at that point. But I let him do his thing, leaving me with three. The next year, I found a Dr. who would remove the remaining 3, which meant I'd be in a wheelchair for 3 weeks. I wish I had just done all 4 the first time, and not gone with the first surgeon. As long as you have someone (like my wonderful husband), who can wait on you for the 1st 3 days or so, the rest of it is not too bad. They gave me percocet, which I took for 2 days. My feet look nice, and the scarring is barely visible. In the end, they aren't free from pain between the metatarsals, but it's much better than before.

PS- The first surgeon placed a permanent metal screw into my bone, which I can still feel a year later. The 2nd guy used dissolvable pins, and I have no idea where the cuts in the bone were. So I would say no to permanent metal in the feet.

[CampChef]

Both knees blown out from college basketball, bad back from growing up on a farm, so now I HAVE to take care of my feet. My solution is GOOD clogs. I no longer have sore feet, knees and back at the end of another 14 hour day. They take a few days to get used to, but what a differnce they make. The bonus is, the good ones have non-slip soles. Now I don't have to worry about sliding on wet or greasy floors, I don't even walk carefully on them any more. Bottom Line, get some good shoes, NOW!

[theloggg]

funny this topic came up today. last night while playing basketball I came down hard on my left foot and tweaked my arch. I'm currently icing it under my desk (fortunately I'm not on my feet all the time yet). Makes me think about the sacrifices I may have to make down the road. I can't afford to hurt my feet when I'm in school or cooking full time.

At one point 9 years ago My feet were giving me so much grief I thought I would have to quit the business. I couldn't get out of bed and on the floor without suffering in the morning.

Them my sister inlaw sent me a pair of Birkenstock sandals and I fond if I slid them on my feet didn't hurt. So I discovered Birkenstock superpro clogs. I haven't had any problems since.

Tim

I agree about the shoes. I may skimp on many things, but good shoes is not one of them. I have three pair of awesome clogs, I wear them every day. I even have one for dress-up!

About 5 years ago I dropped a full one-litre bottle on my big toe and broke it. Everyone told me that you can't do anything for a broken toe, so I just waited until my foot wasn't black anymore and then I stopped favoring it. Problem is, now none of my old shoes fit. My left foot, resplendant with large red knobby knuckle is a size larger.

Darn.

[snakelady1]

My orthotics have worked great for 6 years haven't had to replace them If I go for even one day of standing without them my feet hurt alot. The thing about bone spurs was in the morning I couldn't even walk and I thought to myself if there was a fire in my home I wouldn't be able to save myself let alone my three children thats when I went and got help. Good shoes are essential.

[Anneke]

My feet a pretty much a disaster too from having done classical ballet for 20 years. I know about bunions; my sympathy to all of you afflicted with the lovely extra curves! I've also suffered from tendonitis, knee problems, stress fractures and now I'm starting to think I've developed some kind of arthritis from snapping my hips before every ballet class. Needless to say, my ballet days are gone!

I first realised the importance of good shoes when I was in Wales 6 years ago. I bought a pair of hiking shoes made for the British foot (supposedly wider). I travelled across Europe with them, did some pretty trecherous hiking, wore them in the city too. I became addicted to them. I could walk 8-10 hours on them and not get tired.

So I agree with those above who say get good shoes now. I've been putting off getting some good orthos for my non-slip steel-toes (which I love!). THis thread is a good reminder! When I'm at work I'm often on my feet for 10 hours straight without a break. When I can get 1-2 minutes, I try to do some stretching, especially for my back, hamstrings and achilles. My co-workers think I'm a freak, but it really helps to relieve the tension that you build up during your shift. Regular stretching can really help to realign everything and mild injuries heal much faster. If your prone to getting headaches in a hot kitchen, it helps as well.