That first step out of bed shouldn’t make you wince, but if it does, you’re not alone. Morning heel pain can catch you off guard just when you’re starting your day.
While many people assume it’s plantar fasciitis, heel pain isn’t one-size-fits-all. In fact, several different conditions can cause similar symptoms, and treating the wrong one can delay your recovery.
Our team of experts at Momentum Foot & Ankle Clinic helps you get to the root of your pain, so you can stop guessing and start healing. So, if you’re in pain, we encourage you to visit us in Michigan City, Chesterton, Indiana, and Lombard, Illinois.
In the meantime, here’s a quick look at the most common causes of your morning heel pain.
Your plantar fascia is a band of fascia that runs along the bottom of your foot. Plantar fasciitis means the plantar fascia has become inflamed.
This is the most common cause of morning heel pain and is often due to overuse, tight calves, poor footwear, or increased activity levels.
Plantar fasciitis is notorious for causing a sharp, stabbing pain in your heel. It’s often the worst as soon as you step out of bed. It may improve as you start moving, but it may return after long periods of standing.
Heel spurs are related to plantar fasciitis, but they’re technically a different issue. They’re bony growths that can develop on your heel bone as a response to chronic fascia inflammation.
About 50% of people with plantar fasciitis have heel spurs, but they aren’t always the source of pain.
Heel spurs may feel similar to plantar fasciitis. That being said, they may or may not cause pain, and they’re often discovered on imaging.
If your pain is more toward the back of your heel, it may be Achilles tendinitis, which affects the tendon connecting your calf muscles to your heel.
Achilles tendinitis can cause morning stiffness or soreness in the back of your heel, especially with your first steps out of bed. The discomfort may ease as you move, but often returns or worsens with activity. Sprinting or even climbing the stairs can cause a burning pain.
You may also notice tightness in your calf.
Sometimes heel pain is caused by nerve irritation or compression, such as tarsal tunnel syndrome.
Nerve pain may cause:
If you have nerve-related conditions, such as peripheral neuropathy, your pain may not be limited to your heel. You may experience pain and tingling in other parts of your foot, too, and you may also struggle with complications like diabetic foot ulcers.
A stress fracture can develop in any bone that is stressed from overuse, but fractures in your heel bone (calcaneus) make up about 60% of all fractures that occur in the foot’s tarsal bones.
Unlike plantar fasciitis, this type of pain may be present when you wake up but typically doesn’t improve with movement. It actually worsens as you put more weight on your foot throughout the day.
You may suspect a stress fracture if you’ve recently increased your workout frequency or intensity and experience:
If you suspect you have a fracture, don’t brush off the pain. Postponing treatment for a fracture can lead to complications down the road.
If your heel pain lasts more than a few weeks, worsens, or interferes with your daily activities, it’s time to get it evaluated at one of our Chicagoland offices.
Dr. Mahmood and Dr. Wilson can pinpoint the source of your pain and recommend the most effective treatment for your needs. The sooner you seek care for morning heel pain, the better your chances are of preventing it from worsening and achieving a faster recovery.
You can also reach us via phone at 219-214-2047.
