MD Podiatrist Highlights Spring Surge in Heel Pain and Sports Injuries

As spring sports and outdoor activities ramp up local podiatrist Dan Michaels, DPM is seeing an increase in patients experiencing heel pain, stress injuries, and overuse conditions related to increased activity levels. “Many patients come in this time of year with heel pain that started gradually,” said Dr. Michaels. “They may have ignored mild discomfort through the winter, but as activity increases, that small issue becomes much more noticeable.”

One of the most frequent diagnoses this season is plantar fasciitis, an inflammation of the band of tissue that supports the arch of the foot. It often causes sharp pain in the heel, especially with the first steps in the morning or after long periods of sitting. Patients sometimes assume these symptoms will resolve on their own. However, untreated foot pain can gradually affect walking patterns, leading to knee, hip, or lower back discomfort over time.