Are you dealing with new or worsening heel pain? Does your discomfort seem to peak in the morning and then fade a bit as your day goes on? If so, there’s a good chance you’re dealing with the early stages of plantar fasciitis.
Plantar fasciitis is a condition we’ve covered at length on this blog, but we always tend to share more content about the condition during the warm months because two specific factors trigger an uptick in its onset. Below, we explain why two factors drive an increase in plantar fasciitis cases during the summer months.
Plantar Fasciitis During The Summer
Plantar fasciitis is the result of inflammation of the thick connective tissue on the underside of the feet. This tissue connects your heel to your toes, and when it becomes inflamed and torn, every step you take will be met with pain. So why is summer a prime time for this tissue inflammation to set in? There are two key components at play:
1. We’re More Active – The vast majority of people are more active during the warmer months than when it’s cold. It’s easier to get outside and go for a run, to bike around the lake or simply take the dog for a long walk. It’s not uncommon to put thousands more steps on your feet when the weather is ideal, and all that stress can take a toll on your feet. Significant increases in step counts, and stress from the steps themselves, can overload your plantar fascia and lead to inflammation of the tissue. Then, because we typically stay active or try to push through the discomfort, the inflammation persists and tissues begin to degrade or tear. Ignore it long enough, and the tissue can suffer a moderate or severe tear. We want you to be more active during the summer, but gradually increase your step counts and give your feet some off days to ensure they can recover from the rigors of summer.
2. Shoe Choices – We’re also less likely to wear supportive shoes during the warm summer months. You may throw on a cute pair of flats or slip on your flip flops before you head out for the day. These shoes can offer your feet some wonderful breathability on a hot summer day, but they oftentimes do little to support your arch or take stress off key areas of your foot. So not only are you moving more during the summer, you may be putting this extra stress on your feet while it’s in a shoe that’s ill-equipped to handle this amount of stress. This can also overstress the plantar fascia and contribute to plantar fasciitis onset.
We hope that you get out and enjoy summer, but make sure you do so with your feet in mind. Slowly increase the amount of stress your put on your feet during the warm summer months, and be sure you’re wearing a shoe that is comfortable, supportive and designed for all the active moments you’ll have throughout the day!
If you’re plagued by heel pain or you’re noticing foot discomfort with your first few steps in the morning, connect with Dr. Silverman or a foot specialist in your area. Summer is no time to spend indoors because of foot pain, so seek out a treatment plan today!