What's Causing My Feet to Hurt in the Morning?

Getting to the Root of Foot Pain in the Morning

Its no fun to wake up and step onto the floor only to be greeted with aching, throbbing feet hurt in the morning. This pain and stiffness in your heels or arches that makes getting out of bed difficult is often caused by an inflamed plantar fascia.

Understanding the Plantar Fascia

The plantar fascia is a flat band of fibrous connective tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot. It connects your heel bone to your toes and supports the arch of your foot.

When the plantar fascia becomes irritated and inflamed, usually from overuse or injury, it results in a condition known as plantar fasciitis which causes stabbing pain in the heel and arch areas of your feet hurt in the morning.

Symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis

Common symptoms of plantar fasciitis include:

• Sharp, stabbing pain in heel or arch when taking first steps in the morning
• Pain in feet that may diminish but continues throughout the day
• Heel, arch, or foot pain that worsens with long periods of standing or walking
• Tenderness or painful inflammation in the heels upon pressure

If any of this sounds familiar and you routinely have feet hurt in the morning, plantar fasciitis may be the culprit behind your foot pain.

What Causes Plantar Fasciitis?

There are several common factors that can contribute to developing plantar fasciitis:

Overuse

Excessive running, jumping, or walking stresses the plantar fascia over time, especially if increasing duration/intensity too quickly.

Poor Foot Mechanics

Issues like overpronation (feet roll inward), high arches, or flat feet alter gait pattern in ways that strain the plantar fascia.

Foot Injuries

Prior injuries like heel spurs or heel bruises can sometimes contribute to plantar fasciitis flares.

Obesity

Excess weight puts more pressure on the feet which inflames the plantar fascia over time.

Aging

As you age, loss of arch support results in greater pull on the plantar fascia making it more prone to injury.

If your daily habits are leading to increased heel/arch pain and feet hurt in the morning, you may be on your way to developing plantar fasciitis if untreated.

Getting a Plantar Fasciitis Diagnosis

See your doctor if you routinely wake up with throbbing, painful feet hurt in the morning. They can evaluate symptoms and perform examinations determining if plantar fasciitis is responsible for your discomfort.

Medical History Discussion

Your doctor will ask questions about location of pain, aggravating factors, prior injuries, exercise habits, footwear, profession, and general health to understand root cause.

Foot Examination

They will palpate specific areas like your heel and arch checking for tenderness that indicates plantar fascia inflammation consistent with plantar fasciitis.

Imaging Tests

If diagnosis remains uncertain, additional imaging like x-rays or MRI may be ordered to check for potential causes like heel spurs, arthritis, or heel bone bruises.

Early diagnosis from a podiatrist or orthopedist leads to faster relief for painful feet hurt in the morning from plantar fasciitis flare ups.

Treatments for Plantar Fasciitis Heel & Arch Pain

Implementing targeted treatment under the guidance of your physician can help calm inflammation and manage discomfort from plantar fasciitis over time. Options include:

Rest & Ice

Take weight off feet temporarily, especially first thing in morning. Apply ice packs to ease painful inflammation.

Stretching Exercises

Simple stretches that flex the plantar fascia like heel drops, towel grabs, and wall leans done regularly can encourage healing.

Supportive Footwear & Orthotics

Shoes with good cushioning and arch support or custom inserts help take tension off inflamed plantar fascia.

Physical Therapy

Specialized PT focuses on flexibility and strength training to improve biomechanics contributing to plantar fasciitis.

Night Splints

Nocturnal braces maintain foot and ankle in a gently flexed position easing overnight stiffness and pain.

Identifying inappropriate habits that place excessive load on feet combined with consistent treatment helps alleviate issues causing feet hurt in the morning.

Preventing Future Bouts of Heel Pain

Stepping out of bed onto sore feet hurt in the morning from plantar fasciitis is miserable. Avoid repeats by making proactive changes:

Start Low Impact Exercise

Ease into any new fitness regimens gradually since overdoing activities like running too quickly frequently triggers flare ups.

Choose Footwear Wisely

Look for athletic shoes with ample midsole cushioning and sturdy arch support. Replace worn out ones promptly.

Lose Excess Weight

Shedding pounds takes excessive pressure off the plantar fascia decreasing irritation over time.

Treat Other Foot Conditions

Resolve issues like flat feet, bone spurs, or arthritis through conservative treatment or medical care when necessary.

Perform Calf & Foot Strengthening

Simple at home exercises that target lower leg and feet muscles bolster stability minimizing injury risk.

With some diligent self care, painful feet hurt in the morning from plantar fasciitis can often be avoided.

When to Seek Further Treatment

Severe or persistent heel and arch pain that doesnt improve with conservative treatment within 6-12 months may require more aggressive interventions like:

• Cortisone injections
• Extracorporeal shockwave therapy
• Endoscopic plantar fasciotomy (removal of damaged tissue)

Surgery like plantar fascia release is typically a last resort for chronic cases unresponsive to other measures. Discuss options with an orthopedic foot and ankle surgeon if you continue suffering from painful feet hurt in the morning on a regular basis without relief.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.