Early morning heel pain: causes, remedies, prevention

If Your First Steps Out Of Bed Hurt, You May Have Plantar Fasciitis or Achilles Tendinitis. Heel pain in the morning might occur due to a condition called plantar fasciitis or Achilles tendinitis. It may also be due to an injury like a stress fracture.

Heel pain can sometimes be treated with at-home with ice pack and rest. If your pain is more debilitating, consult an orthopedician to diagnose your symptoms and recommend treatment.

Read on to learn about some of the possible causes for heel pain in the morning.

1. Plantar fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is a condition where the plantar fascia, a thick ligament at the bottom of your foot, is inflamed. Symptoms include stiffness or pain in the heels or feet. Symptoms might be worse in the morning because of poor blood supply to the heel and foot area when you are at rest.

Plantar fasciitis is a common injury for runners and other athletes. Athletics put a lot of stress on their feet and heels. Cross-training a few times a week with activities like cycling and swimming may help. Wearing proper footwear and changing out your running shoes every 400 to 500 miles may also prevent overuse pain.

If you have plantar fasciitis, it usually takes a few minutes of activity, such as a few minutes of walking, to warm up the area and relieve the pain.

2.Achilles tendinitis

The Achilles tendon, the band of tissues that connects the calf muscle to the heel bone, can become inflamed. This can result in Achilles tendinitis, or stiffness and pain in the heel area. Symptoms may be worse in the morning because circulation to this part of the body can be limited at rest.

Unlike plantar fasciitis, you’ll  feel  the pain or discomfort throughout the day if you have Achilles tendinitis.

3. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)

People with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are at increased risk of developing plantar fasciitis. This can result in heel pain in the morning.

If your symptoms don’t improve with home treatments, your doctor may recommend wearing a night splint to keep your foot flexed at night.

4. Stress fracture

You can get a stress fracture in your heel from overuse, improper technique, or intense athletic activity. You may notice pain that develops over days or weeks, and swelling. It may hurt to walk.

If you have a stress fracture, you’ll likely experience pain throughout the day. See your doctor as soon as possible if you suspect you have a stress fracture.

5. Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism can cause heel pain in the morning. The disruption of chemicals and hormones in the body can lead to inflammation and swelling in the feet, ankles, and heels. It can also cause tarsal tunnel syndrome, where the tibial foot nerve is pinched or damaged.

If you have unexplained heel pain in the morning and symptoms of hypothyroidism, your doctor may recommend a blood test to check your thyroid.

6.Gout

One of the causes of heel pain in the morning can be due to a build-up of uric acid in the joint. This is more commonly known as gout.

This condition can be very painful and result in pain, limping, redness and swelling.

Home remedies

Home remedies and nonprescription painkillers (NSAIDs) may be effective for mild-to-moderate heel pain. If you have sharp or sudden pain, see your doctor. Your heel pain may be the result of a more serious injury.

Ice

Keep a small water bottle filled with water in the freezer overnight. Wrap it in a towel, and roll it gently along your heel and foot in the morning.

Massage

Roll a tennis ball or lacrosse ball along the bottom of your foot from your toes to your heel. This may help release tension.

You can also roll your foot on a foam roller. Or you can do a more traditional massage by holding your foot in your hand and applying gentle pressure along the foot and heel area with your thumb.

Stretching

Try the following stretches for heel pain:

Heel cord and foot arch stretch

1. Facing a wall, step back with one foot and bend your front knee, keeping both feet and heels on the ground.
2. Lean forward slightly as you stretch.
3. Hold 10 seconds, then relax.
4. Repeat with the other side.

Plantar fascia tension stretch

1. Sitting on the side of your bed or on a chair, cross the affected foot over the other knee, creating a “four” position with your legs.
2. Using the hand on your affected side, gently pull your toes back toward your shin.
3. Hold for 10 seconds and relax.
4. Repeat if desired, or switch legs if both heels are affected.

How to prevent heel pain

The following steps may help prevent morning heel pain:

• Maintain a healthy weight and healthy lifestyle. Being overweight or obese may put additional stress on the heel and foot area.
• Wear sturdy, supportive footwear, and avoid wearing high-heeled shoes.
• Replace running or athletic shoes every 400 to 500 miles.
• If you normally run, try low-impact activities, like cycling and swimming.
• Perform stretches at home, especially after exercising.

When to seek help

Make an appointment with a doctor or podiatrist if you have the following symptoms:

• morning heel pain that doesn’t go away after a few weeks, even after trying home remedies like ice and rest
• heel pain that continues throughout the day and is interfering with your daily routine

Seek emergency care if you notice any of the following:

• severe pain and swelling near your heel
• severe heel pain that starts following an injury
• heel pain accompanied by a fever, swelling, numbness, or tingling
• inability to walk normally

The takeaway

Heel pain in the morning is a common sign of plantar fasciitis, but there are also other conditions that may cause this type of pain. Home remedies including ice and stretching may help with morning heel pain.

See your doctor if you believe you have a more serious injury or if your pain doesn’t subside after a few weeks with home remedies.