If you’re dealing with plantar fasciitis, you might have realized that your heel pain has gotten worse since winter arrived. No, it’s not all in your head. In fact, we at CarePlus Foot & Ankle Specialists are here to explain why the cold weather makes this inflammatory condition even worse.
Tissue Under Tension
Your tissues tend to contract when it gets cold. When the plantar fascia is exposed to lower temperatures, whether from the air in a chilly house or the ground outside, the fibers tighten and shorten.
Because the fascia is already under tension from supporting your body weight, this cold contraction acts like a bowstring being pulled even tighter. When you attempt to walk, you are forcing a shortened, brittle band of tissue to stretch out instantly.
This stress causes existing micro-tears to pull apart and leads to sharp pain that feels like a needle in the heel.
Reduced Circulation
When you are cold, your brain signals the blood vessels in your feet to narrow so that warmer blood can stay near your vital organs. While this keeps you alive in extreme conditions, it is terrible for your foot health.
The plantar fascia already has a relatively poor blood supply compared to muscles. So, when winter weather further restricts that flow, the tissue loses the warmth it needs to remain bendy.
This lack of flexibility means that every step you take on frozen ground creates more friction and inflammation than it would on a warm summer day.
Stiff Calves
In the winter, the muscles in your lower legs also tend to stay in a state of contraction to create heat. The calf muscles are directly connected to the heel bone via the Achilles tendon, which in turn shares a connection with the plantar fascia.
When your calves are tight from the cold, they pull upward on the heel bone. This creates a constant tug-of-war where the plantar fascia is being pulled from the other side.
This tension from the back of the leg makes it nearly impossible for the fascia to relax, which leads to chronic inflammation that persists throughout the winter months.
Impact on Frozen Surfaces
During the summer, grass or even asphalt has a tiny bit of give. But in the winter, the ground freezes solid and becomes as hard as concrete.
Each strike of your heel against that frozen earth… ouch. It sends a shockwave directly into the inflamed fascia. And without the natural shock absorption of the ground or the flexibility of warm tissue, the impact of walking causes the pain to flare up much faster during outdoor activities.
And is the treadmill any better? Find out here.
For any podiatric concerns you’re dealing with, see Dr. Hubert Lee and the team at CarePlus Foot & Ankle Specialists for guidance and advice. You can schedule an appointment online or call today at 425-455-0936.