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Why Do My Heels Hurt When I Wake Up?
If you wake up to a sharp, stabbing pain in your heels, you’re not alone — you’re in the company of about 33 million Americans with plantar fasciitis.
Joining that group may not bring you much comfort, but Dr. Bryan King and Dr. Jeffrey Cuomo at Tuscaloosa Orthopedic & Joint Institute can.
We understand how foot and ankle pain, particularly plantar fasciitis, can disrupt your daily life, so we’re here to provide an authoritative, informative, and empathetic guide to managing it.
Plantar fasciitis 101
Plantar fasciitis is a common orthopedic problem that affects the band of tissue (plantar fascia) connecting your heel bone to your toes. When this tissue becomes inflamed or irritated, it causes discomfort or intense heel pain, particularly in the morning when taking your first steps.
The signature symptom of plantar fasciitis is a sharp, stabbing pain at the bottom of your foot near the heel.
It’s usually most severe with the first few steps in the morning or after long periods of standing or sitting. The pain might lessen with activity but can return after prolonged standing or rising from sitting.
Who gets plantar fasciitis?
Anyone can get plantar fasciitis, but some are more susceptible than others. Several factors put you at greater risk, including:
Footwear
Wearing shoes with poor arch support or thin soles can put extra strain on your plantar fascia.
Lack of stretching
Tight calf muscles or Achilles tendons can increase the stress on your plantar fascia.
Age and weight
Plantar fasciitis is more common in people between the ages of 40 and 60 and those who are overweight.
Certain activities
High-impact activities like running and jumping can lead to an earlier plantar fasciitis onset.
How to get relief from plantar fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis can cramp your style and keep you from doing what you love unless you seek help. Fortunately, we have several tips and treatments to help you overcome your plantar fasciitis pain:
Stretching exercises
We can show you how regularly stretching your Achilles tendon and plantar fascia can ease the pain and improve flexibility.
Custom orthotics
Dr. King or Dr. Cuomo may recommend custom-fitted arch supports (orthotics) to distribute pressure more evenly across your feet.
Medication
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen reduce inflammation and relieve pain.
Physical therapy
We may also prescribe physical therapy so you can participate in exercises to stretch the plantar fascia and Achilles tendon and strengthen your lower leg muscles.
Everyone's experience with plantar fasciitis is unique, so what works for one person might not work for another.
Our Tuscaloosa Orthopedic & Joint Institute team develops a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs. Call us in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, to schedule an appointment and start healing your heels.
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