Heel Pain in the Morning

Do you experience heel pain when you take the first few steps in the morning? Pain in the back part of the foot could be caused due to a variety of reasons. Though it could be caused due to a heel injury, certain medical conditions could also be responsible for causing heel pain in the morning or on getting up after a period of extended rest.

Why Do People Suffer From Heel Pain on Getting Up in the Morning?

Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of pain in the underside of the heel. This condition is caused due to an inflamed plantar fascia, the connective tissue or ligament that runs across the bottom of the foot and also attaches to the bones forming the ball of the foot. This band of tissue is padded with a covering of fat which facilitates shock absorption. Since plantar fascia performs the vital function of supporting the arch of the foot, whenever this thick connective tissue gets inflamed, one suffers from heel pain on taking the first few steps on waking up. Sports persons, dancers, obese people or people suffering from foot deformities such as flat feet or high arches are highly susceptible to plantar fasciitis. Another common cause of an inflamed plantar fascia is wearing ill fitting footwear.

Bone outgrowths along the edges of the bones are referred to as bone spurs or osteophytes. The formation of bone spurs generally takes place at the meeting point of two bones. These could also develop at places where ligaments meet the bones. These bony projections can press against the surrounding nerves and this leads to pain and swelling. A bone spur in the heel could be caused due to injuries or overuse of the plantar fascia ligament. Excessive physical activity in the form of running, sprinting or dancing is the common cause of heel pain in children. Besides these medical conditions, arthritis, Achilles tendonitis or stress fractures in the heel area can also give rise to pain in back part of the foot.

Treatment of Heel Pain

Since the most common cause of heel pain on getting up is plantar fasciitis, one must consult a doctor for plantar fasciitis. Generally an X-ray examination is conducted in order to check the extent of damage. It also helps to rule out the chances of bone fractures. Doctors generally prescribe the use of corticosteroid injections and medications in event of severe inflammation. Since wearing an ill fitting footwear can aggravate pain, one must be careful while buying shoes. Using orthotic devices or shoes inserts will also prove beneficial. If you suffer from pain when running, make sure that you buy shoes that have extra cushioning or padding around the heels. These will not only reduce the stress to the heel bone, but also facilitate better shock absorption.

Since our legs bear the weight of our entire body, one needs to keep one's weight under control. Once the inflammation subsides, one could go for physical therapy sessions. Performing certain exercises will also prove beneficial and strengthen the ligament. If a heel spur is responsible for causing pain, it is advisable to refrain from physical activities that might worsen the pain. Besides resting your feet, application of cold compresses coupled with the use of anti-inflammatory drugs will surely provide heel spur relief. If the symptoms are very severe and these methods are not really working, then doctors might recommend heel spurs surgery as a treatment option.

If you often experience heel pain on taking the first steps in the morning, consult a doctor soon. A timely treatment will surely help in alleviating the symptoms.