Heel Pain in the Morning?

Is your first step out of bed painful? Do your heels hurt after you've been sitting for a while? If so, the likely cause of your heel pain is a condition known as plantar fascitis. This condition is caused by an inflammation of the plantar fascia, the strip of strong body tissue extending from the bottom of the heel bone to the ball of the foot. It's job is to hold the foot bones and joints in place. When it becomes stressed, the heels hurt during your first few steps in the morning, after any periods of rest, or long intervals of standing. Plantar fascitis can result in heel spurs, which are small pieces of bone that can grow on the bottom of your heel. The cause of plantar fascitis is not always known but common causes can be changes in activity or recent weight gain.

Some of the common treatments to relieve heel pain may include steroid injections, strapping, stretching exercises, and custom made orthotics. Your feet aren't supposed to hurt and there are ways to alleviate your discomfort. Please call the Foot & Ankle Specialists of Nashville for an appointment.

P.S. Causes of heel pain other than plantar fascitis could include stress fractures, entrapped nerves, bruises, bursitis, arthritis, deterioration of the heel's fat pad, improper shoes, and weight gain.