Other Possible Causes of Heel Pain
Here are a few other factors that could be contributing to your wintertime heel pain blues:
- Winter sports. Not everyone hides under the blankets all season long! Whether you play a winter-specific sport, love your winter runs, or take the play indoors, physical activity obviously comes with a risk of heel pain. (Here, again, shoes are usually a big part of both the cause and the solution.
- Chilly temps. The cold weather itself could be aggravating an existing case of arthritis or inflammatory condition.
- Lack of conditioning. If you tend to be fairly active in the summer but mostly sedentary in the winter, you may find that your feet, ankles, and calves aren’t quite as able to handle the daily stresses as well as they used to—especially if you do a lot of standing at your job.
- The aftermath of the holiday rush. We’re definitely used to seeing patients come to us in January and early February after a busy holiday season.
- Dry skin. Low humidity, indoor heat, and even too-hot showers can contribute to dry skin. Sometimes skin gets so dry around your heels that it starts to split and crack, which can be quite uncomfortable.
Don’t Let Winter Heel Pain Slow You Down
Heel pain can be a major nuisance that gets in the way of living your best life regardless of when it occurs. But if you’re already frustrated by winter heel pain, just imagine how unhappy you’ll be by spring and summer if it hasn’t gone away by then—or even gotten worse!
If your discomfort is getting in the way of life and isn’t getting better after a few days of rest at home, give us a call. We provide thorough diagnostic testing, compassionate care, and comprehensive treatment options (including some state-of-the-art procedures for those who need them.)
Heel pain is always worth treating, and the good news is that relatively straightforward, conservative therapies can resolve the issue 95 percent of the time (or more).
In the meantime:
- Avoid activities that are causing you pain as much as possible.
- Wear comfortable, supportive shoes that are always appropriate for your activities and environment.
- Keep exercising your feet, ankles, and calves throughout the year so they stay strong and resistant to injury.
- Keep feet properly moisturized by avoiding long, hot showers and applying a moisturizing lotion or cream afterward.
