Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Z-Coil Shoes

I have always laughed at that those shoes that are becoming more and more popular with nurses with a giant spring on the back.  They look goofy.

And yet as my plantar fasciitis continues and I go home from work in pain every day, I've become a little desperate.  Tonight, I stopped by my local uniform store and tried out some Z-Coil shoes.  I was a little bit dismayed at how comfortable they were, because I didn't really want to talk myself into getting silly looking shoes.  I was also a little bit dismayed at how much they cost.

That said, I think I am going to pull the trigger and get them anyway; unless someone who has worn them can talk me out of it.  That's where you come in.  Go ahead.  Do your worst.

15 comments:

AtYourCervix said...

I have pretty bad plantar fasciitis (and a heel spur to boot!), but I would not want to try these. They look dangerous in the coil area. Imagine how easy it would be to have a wire/cord loop around it and POOF! You trip and fall.

I work L&D, so we have far too many cords and wires -- two for the fetal monitor, one for the BP cuff, epidural tubing, IV tubing.....heck, I've known nurses to trip over cords without the benefit of these strangely designed shoes!

Unknown said...

Hmm.. I would agree - the shoes look like a recipe for disaster in the form of some crazy ankle injury. Or something worse.
I can't see myself doing my walk-sprinting at work around corners or up/down stairs with those shoes on.
On another note: have you had your plantar fasciitis treated? Physical therapy? evaluated by an orthopedic?
There are a million home therapy treatments to help with plantar fasciitis.
Just my 2 cents.
Best of luck.

Marisapan said...

Try MBT's: Physiological footwear. They are also far too expensive, but DAMN they have saved my feet. I have degenerative bone disease in one of my metatarsals and my MBT's are the only thing keeping me working until I go for surgery. AND, I asked my accountant - if you can get your doc to write you a "prescription" you can deduct them from your taxes as a work expense.

StorytellERdoc said...

Very interesting post and shoe. How were they, honestly, to put on and walk around in? I'm thinking you just found the next "croc" for ER workers.

Enjoy the weekend.

AtYourCervix said...

Sean - I've run the gamut for my PF and heel spur. PT, cortisone shots (just got another one last week), orthotics, the big black boot, surgical consult with the orthopedic doc. Just cannot take the time to recover (2-3 months off your feet) for the surgery, which is what I really need. The orthotics and cortisone shots work well for a while...then the pain comes back.

Braden said...

I tried the traditional thing - physical therapy, orthotics, heel casts, stretches, etc. I never went so far as cortisone shots or Michael Jackson boots, though.

I did find them surprisingly comfortable to walk around in, at least for the short term. The guy who was helping me out kept messing with them - putting inserts in here and there to try to balance my weight distribution. I didn't walk as far as I would like to really test drive them - that would involve a few trips around the mall - but I did make 20 or 30 laps around the store with them. They still look as ugly as all getout, but I can't deny that while wearing them, my feet felt great, and the spring helped to propel my next step when I was walking.

My big problem is that I usually buy my shoes for 45 dollars at Big 5, so spending over 200 dollars for a pair of shoes is against everything I have ever done. I'm going back in today with my wife so that I can get her opinion. We'll see how it goes.

AtYourCervix said...

Whoa! Those shoes are over $200? Holy simoleons!!!

Texas reader said...

$200 is eminently reasonable if you have pain in your feet.

in fact, if you work every day you need 2 pair so each pair can air out 24 hours.

my philosophy - never be cheap about shoes or mattresses - you spend too much time in them to not have good ones.

ERRNfromMS said...

I absolutely swear by these. No back pain, no foot pain, and you legs dont feel like 100lb weights by the end of your shift.

Only down side is you do have to teach yourself to watch for cords.

I really recommend these because lets face it if we cant walk we cant do what we do.

danielle said...

I know several people who bought a pair. I dont know anyone who bought a 2d pair after the first wore out. Does that help?

Anonymous said...

$200 for embarrassing shoes? That's shameful! What did you decide??!! I want to poll other nurses, surely there is a better solution! -Halie (User Experience Editor)

E.J. said...

In Texas, our docs commonly bring up cowboy boots as a treatment for mild PF.

However, even here down south, you really need to be some maverick ER physician in order to pull off the scrubs/cowboy boots combo without it being a complete affront to modern fashion.

stampqueen said...

I love my ZZZ's - my knees, hips and lower back all love them!!!! I have been wearing them about 8 months - minimal problem with cords as I am an ICU RN - but as I am a bit of a klutz I had trouble with cords before....
I had problems with bone spurs on my heels a few years ago and started using a good quality magnetic insole (not from walmart or CVS pharm ) from NIKKON and within 2 weeks - GONE - and have never had trouble again.

Katie Morales said...

A co-worker got the Skecher shape ups and loved them. I also purchased them and find they help my posture and back.

Unknown said...

My best friends mom has TWO pair. Black tenni's AND sandals..yes sandals....SCARY. and now she is NOT a nurse...