What is the best way to prevent leg swelling?

Asked by geckomom {71}
http://kimhaas.com
8/4/2010 1:11:59 PM

I'm getting frequent swelling in my right foot from using a foot pedal constantly. I follow every ergonomic tip I can find.

My doctor says to elevate my foot, which is great if I had a job that would accomodate that.

I've tried compression socks but they cause pain and swelling in my knee instead of my foot.

What other ideas are out there for preventing foot swelling?

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	Comments from Facebook
		Sue Millard How about a flat shoe? I used to be a transcriber so I know what you are talking about. Sometimes I would even take my right shoe off to use the pedal. Saturday, August 07, 2010

		Lacey Odell i never wear shoes while transcribing. i found that its easer to use the pedal without a shoe. its like wearing gloves and trying to zip a coat, its doable but is so much more work. Saturday, August 07, 2010

		Lori Bowman I switch feet every two hours while transcribing...I learned this when I broke my ankle and it does work!! Saturday, August 07, 2010

		Bobbi McMillin I never wear shoes while transcribing. I use keyboard shortcuts to do the same thing the foot pedal does. when I do use the footpedal, I alternate feet every hour or so & get up & walk around every hour or so as well Saturday, August 07, 2010

		Martha Gobbell I have a wooden box built to set my foot pedal on to sort of change positions..when tired of it I remove the box & set the pedal on the floor for a break. An MT I worked with had her husband make us one & it helps!! He put a piece on there to hold the pedal in place. Saturday, August 07, 2010

		Colleen Kervin Get up and walk briefly every 30 minutes or so, between documents. Saturday, August 07, 2010

		Stina Sharpley my 4-year-old has a soft plush chair that i use to put my foot pedal on just to elevate it off the ground. It not only helps, but is also comfortable on my foot rather than being on the floor. Saturday, August 07, 2010

		Jana Williamson I never wear shoes when transcribing either. I cannot use hot keys to type, but can when proofing. I have foot rest, you can purchase through transcriptions sites that is will rotation flat, slanted, etc. it has bumps on it to keep the foot rest in place and helps quite a lot. Saturday, August 07, 2010

		Liz Rybicki I wear shoes while transcribing and make sure to get up and walk around briefly every hour or so. Saturday, August 07, 2010

		Laura Bell I have a shelf under my desk that I keep one leg up on at a time. I also make sure to elevate my feet at night while watching TV or reading and that seems to help too. Saturday, August 07, 2010

		Mary Kersey I always where at least a shoe on the pedal foot - I overworked it once and had foot arch pain for a week! supporting the arch, rather than pedaling barefoot, is safest. My other foot I have elevated up a bit while transcribing as well. Saturday, August 07, 2010

		Tracie Ramirez I too hardly every wear shoes while typing. I have a little wooden footstool with a pillow on top under my desk and alternate putting my feed up. This really seems to help. Saturday, August 07, 2010

		Melanie Burton I have two old PDRs under my desk, one for each foot....but that`s because I have to raise my seat to reach my keyboard and I am so short my feet don`t touch the floor. But, I very rarely have any swelling in my feet. Sunday, August 08, 2010

		Holly Christensen I used to have this problem when my weight was a problem. My doctor told me to get up every 30 minutes (which is difficult in the middle of transcribing reports), but I did get up and move around every hour. I also would lie on the sofa with my leg propped up on the arm for 10 minutes...short time, but it did help. I also do not wear shoes when transcribing! Do you have a heart condition? Do you take a diuretic? Sunday, August 08, 2010

		Susan Harris-Robinson I don`t wear shoes while transcribing. I have found that on rare occasions when I do go into the office to fill in for someone my feet hurt worse because I have to wear shoes. Sunday, August 08, 2010

		Linda Rainbolt Learn to use your left foot for your foot pedal and elevate your right foot. That way you can rotate and keep them both from swelling. Sunday, August 08, 2010