Foot pain can return with a vengeance when the weather heats up – or cools down. Despite wearing good shoes, it’s normal for heel pain to reappear for both professional and beginner athletes. If you have heel pain that returns with weather changes, you’re not alone!
For many, Summer means doing more athletic activities outdoors, whereas Winter is more indoor activities. As you transition from treadmill to pavement or hiking trails or vice-versa, your feet need to adapt to the new terrain. For some, this new terrain can cause heel pain to return.
The most common cause of heel pain is plantar fasciitis, but keep in mind that 30% of people are misdiagnosed with “plantar fasciitis” when, in fact, they have ligament/tendon tears, nerve entrapment, bone bruises or stress fractures. For this reason, it is important that you be examined by a foot specialist.
How to reduce returning heel pain
There are a number of solutions and treatment options for foot pain. For heel pain due to plantar fasciitis, the pain is always at its worst first thing in the morning and usually responds really well to stretching and proper arch support. Arch support must be an around-the-clock treatment and not simply when you are active or at work. We recommend supportive shoes and custom orthotics. Also, while at home, consider slippers that accommodate an orthotic like those made by Biotime or a supportive house sandal, such as a Birkenstock.
If you have had a return in plantar fasciitis pain, your treatment will need to be a bit more aggressive and so we may offer a night splint, cortisone injection or special foot support sleeve, such as Orthosleeve. If you are already wearing orthotics, we will determine whether or not your orthotic needs to be adjusted or if it is doing its job well.
If you’ve laced up your running shoes, only to find that your heel pain has returned, request an appointment with one of BioPed’s Footcare Clinician. We can help!
