Heel Pain In the Morning

The alarm clock goes off. You sleepily swing your legs out of your bed and place your feet on the ground. You stretch, and rise to get up out of bed... and you collapse on the floor. Your feet are in terrible pain and won't work right!

You hobble over to the alarm clock and turn it off and continue in to the bathroom. As your body warms up, so do your feet and throughout the rest of your day the pain in your heels dissipates. Maybe it was just a fluke. And then it happens the next morning. And the next. Maybe not a fluke.

If this is something that's happened to you, you have heel pain, but you also have post static dyskinesia, a general term which refers to pain after rest. Post static dyskinesia can happen any where in the body, but it is most commonly connected with heel pain. 

The injury itself actually occurs when you take that first step out of bed in the morning. You have been sleeping all night, and your foot relaxes and goes into the plantarflexed or downward position. This position releases the tension on the plantar fascia and over the night, the ligament shortens. So when you take that first step, the ligament has to lengthen and it snaps at your heel bone. This injury causes the pain and inflammation associated with plantar fasciitis. 

To prevent plantar fasciitis and post static dyskinesia from worsening, you should call a podiatrist immediately. They will prescribe anti-inflammatory medication and recommend icing to decrease the inflammation and pain. You will also be told stretches that will help ease the pain. 

If you are experiencing heel pain, call our Rocky Hill or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Jeffrey S. Kahn, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Heel Pain Doctor in CT
Podiatrist in Rocky Hill and Middletown, CT
Visit our website, follow my tweets on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook.

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Nuggets Guard Lawson Out Weeks With Heel Injury

If we've learned anything from this NBA season, it's that if you have a plantar fasciitis problem, don't try to

be a muscle man and power through the injury. It's not an injury that gets better with repeated exercise- it gets worse. 
Now, here's another plantar fascia tear casualty- Denver Nuggets guard Ty Lawson has a plantar fascia tear in his right heel and while it was expected he would be out several weeks, last Tuesday he practiced with the team.
Lawson suffered the injury on March 19th in a 114-104 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder and he missed the next four of five games.
There was no official timetable for Lawson's return, but the Nuggets seem to be optimistic about his prospects for the rest of the season. Coach George Karl told Nuggets.com, "I have a feeling that he had somewhat of a partial tear in his plantar fasciitis (sp), and that's untreatable. But popping it creates a situation where now once the soreness goes away, he probably should be able to be pain-free. It could come in a couple of weeks.
"His job and our job is to figure out how to get him feeling 100% and having some confidence playing the game of basketball. I think it's a situation where it's going to work out. I'm optimistic about how it's going to work out."
After practice last Tuesday, Karl told The Denver Post, "I don't think he took many chances, but he did run up and down the court. He doesn't seem like he was confident. Knowing Ty, he probably won't try overly aggressive game until he's in the game."
Lawson leads Denver in scoring at 16.7 points per game and 6.7 assists. The team has already clinched a playoff berth.
Lawson says his foot feels better than it did, but it's still not 100%. Does anyone else feel like Lawson is being rushed back? Yes, he is the team's best player, but has no one learned from the Pau Gasol debacle? An injury like a plantar fascia tear, whether it's partial or complete, does take time to heal. The few games he sat out are not nearly enough to keep further damage from occurring.
Reference: SB Nation
If you are experiencing heel pain, call our Rocky Hill or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Jeffrey S. Kahn, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Heel Pain Doctor in CT
Podiatrist in Rocky Hill and Middletown, CT
Visit our website, follow my tweets on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook.

Related articles

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• Lions' Kicker Hanson Retires Because of Heel Problems
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Lions' Kicker Hanson Retires Because of Heel Problems

There are times when you want to continue, but your body tells you it can no longer go on.

That's how Detroit Lions' kicker Jason Hanson felt after this last season. He pondered returning for one last season, but problems with his heels made it impossible for him to come back. He recently made the decision to retire after 21 years of playing in the NFL, all 21 seasons with the Lions. 
"It's time. I gave serious thought and consideration to playing in 2013. While the determination and willpower are still there, the wear and tear on my body, especially the issues I had and still have with my heel, have convinced me that it's time to retire," said Hanson.
Hanson was the first player in NFL history to play 300 games with one team, finishing with 327. He set a record last season when he played his 21st season with the same franchise. Hanson was a record-making player: he had 52 field goals from at least 50 yards, is third in career scoring list at 2,150 points and third in field goals with 495. He is also the only player with 2,000 points for one team.
"Jason Hanson is the gold standard," said Lions president Tom Lewand. "He had an exemplary, Hall of Fame-worthy career on the field, and for those of us fortunate to know him well, he is an even better person, teammate, friend, husband, and father."
Hanson joins Jerry Rice, George Blanda, Morten Anderson, Gary Anderson, and Vinny Testaverde with 21 pro seasons. He joined the Lions in 1992, the year after they reached the NFC Championship game. He played in six postseason games, which were all losses, and went through the team's terrible 0-16 season in 2008. He was rewarded in 2011 when the Lions made the playoffs for the first time in a dozen years. 
Hanson was looking forward to the press conference, when he could "publicly thank so many people who have played such a big part in my career. You all helped me along this journey and I am forever grateful." 
And Lions fans everywhere are grateful for you, Jason Hanson. Wishing you the best in the future. 
Reference: ESPN
If you are experiencing heel pain, call our Rocky Hill or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Jeffrey S. Kahn, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Heel Pain Doctor in CT
Podiatrist in Rocky Hill and Middletown, CT
Visit our website, follow my tweets on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook.

Padres' Forsythe On the DL With Plantar Fasciitis

It was just three weeks ago I blogged about San Diego Padres' Logan Forsythe, and how he hoped resting for a few days would clear up his plantar fasciitis.
I guess none of these athletes read up about plantar fasciitis, because they would know this is something that does not go away after a *couple of days rest*. Try a couple of months, if you are diligent about icing, resting, stretching, and wearing orthotics.  
Forsythe went on the 15 day DL last week after playing just three innings last Tuesday in a loss against the San Francisco Giants after being out since March 7th. 
Padres manager Bud Black said he had no choice but to take Forsythe out, saying, "It was really painful at the start of the game and with the intensity of the soreness, we had to take him out. The pain got worse the more he was on it."
Forsythe was the leading candidate to start third base for the injured Chase Headley on Opening Day, but now it's looking like it's likely he'll be replaced by Gregorio Petit. 
Reference: Tracking Blog 
If you are experiencing heel pain, call our Rocky Hill or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Jeffrey S. Kahn, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Heel Pain Doctor in CT
Podiatrist in Rocky Hill and Middletown, CT
Visit our website, follow my tweets on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook.

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• Padres' Forsythe Hopes Resting Will Help Plantar Fasciitis
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Albert Pujols Dealing With Plantar Fasciitis

Albert Pujols' surgically repaired knee is feeling so wonderful, he believes himself ready to play first base on Opening Day, April 1st, against Cincinnati. But Pujols didn't even make his spring training debut until last Tuesday and it was revealed that he has been dealing with plantar fasciitis.
Manager Mike Scioscia said after the game that "The foot is giving him more trouble right now than the knee. But the fact that his knee is OK give us more comfort than anything else."
Pujols has dealt with plantar fasciitis on and off for seven years, playing with it during the 2004, 2005, and 2006 seasons and never going on the disabled list. During those three seasons he hit .330 and averaged 45 home runs and 125 RBIs.
"I've had it for the last seven years; it that a problem? It's one of those things that comes and goes," Pujols said.
Pujols is wearing custom orthotics for the first time in his career and is spending more time in the training room.
"I think the whole reason it flared up this spring is because of my knee. I tried to protect the knee and put more pressure on my left side. But it's nothing that will keep me from being in the lineup. I've played whole seasons with it," Pujols said. "It gets sore, but nothing really dramatic to where I say, 'Man, I can't play.'"
Pujols even phoned up Red Sox DH David Ortiz, who is also suffering from heel pain, for tips on playing DH.
"I'm too young to be a DH, but if I have to do it, I'll do it. I just want to be in the lineup and help the team win," Pujols said.
Reference: LA Times and LA Times
If you are experiencing heel pain, call our Rocky Hill or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Jeffrey S. Kahn, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Heel Pain Doctor in CT
Podiatrist in Rocky Hill and Middletown, CT
Visit our website, follow my tweets on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook.

Related articles

• Lakers' Gasol Has Partial Tear In Plantar Fascia
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David Ortiz Still Frustrated By Heel Pain

Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz did not participate in batting practice on Monday as anticipated due to continued heel pain. 
"Just waiting for the inflammation to go away and we'll be good to go. I haven't been able to play and do what I'm supposed to. It's not fun. Just trying to deal with it. The setback is what pretty much frustrates me the most because you think you're doing the right thing to get better. It's like walking backwards. That's the part of this game I don't like. We're approaching it differently and hopefully we get to the point where we don't have to worry about it anymore," said Ortiz.
Manager John Farrell said of Ortiz, "When he was shut down, there was that five-to-seven-day period where we're going to take a look and see how the medication took hold, how the anti-inflammatory and other treatments were bringing that along. To what extent there's being progress made, some, but not to the point obviously where he's ready to take some swings in the cage."
Ortiz (along with Red Sox fans) is frustrated about missing spring practice, especially after working so diligently in the off-season and missing several months last season.
"It's been a big part of my frustration, busting my tail in the offseason just to make sure you're good to go by now and then not being ready. It's frustrating, but it is what it is," Ortiz said.
Ortiz isn't looking to hurry back before he's ready though- he made that mistake last season, going back to the lineup in August when he was still injured.
"The season is not just Opening Day," Ortiz said. "The season is six months longer. If I can be there for the next 5 1/2 to five months of the season, I think I'll cover more ground than just be there for Opening Day and then miss the rest of five months. We're going to be there at the right time."
Ortiz signed a two-year contract with the Red Sox in December that is potentially worth $30 million if he spends 20 or fewer days on the disabled list this season.
If you are experiencing heel pain, call our Rocky Hill or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Jeffrey S. Kahn, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Heel Pain Doctor in CT
Podiatrist in Rocky Hill and Middletown, CT
Visit our website, follow my tweets on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook.

Related articles

• Red Sox's Ortiz Has Foot Problems, Again
• Padres' Forsythe Hopes Resting Will Help Plantar Fasciitis

Padres' Forsythe Hopes Resting Will Help Plantar Fasciitis

It's the first plantar fasciitis case of the brand new 2013 baseball season. 
The San Diego Padres' infielder Logan Forsythe is resting for several days because of plantar fasciitis.
"He's got a foot issue and we're going to stay away from it for three or four days. We're having it looked at," said Padres manager Bud Black, after Forsythe missed a second straight day.
Forsythe, 26, is in line to be a starter at either second or shortstop as well as a backup for Carlos Quentin in left, and is known to have a history of foot problems.
Last spring after suffering a stress fracture, he had the sesamoid bone in the ball of his left foot removed, a procedure he had done in 2007 on his right foot when he was at the University of Arkansas.
He spent the first two months of 2012 on the disabled list, which delayed his promotion to the Padres. After joining the Padres on June 3, he finished the season with an admirable .273 hitting average with six homers and 26 RBIs in 91 games. He started 73 of those games at second base. This season, rookie Jedd Gyorko is competing for the job and Forsythe has made two starts at shortstop. He had a slow start to this spring training season because of a sore right knee.
The Padres medical staff hopes the three to four days off and the cortisone injection will help settle the inflammation he's experiencing. He was seen Monday in a walking boot. We know however, that someone with persistent, nagging plantar fasciitis will need more than a few days rest and a shot. Since this is an ailment Forsythe seems to have frequently, he must have some foot structure issues. We would want him to switch shoes, and add orthotics to his treatment plan.
We'll keep an eye on him in the coming months.
Reference: UT San Diego.
If you are experiencing heel pain, call our Rocky Hill or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Jeffrey S. Kahn, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Heel Pain Doctor in CT
Podiatrist in Rocky Hill and Middletown, CT
Visit our website, follow my tweets on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook.

Related articles

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