Why Do My Heels Hurt in the Morning?

We’ve been on our feet walking, running, and jumping ever since our hominid ancestors got up and started doing it, and research is still ongoing to understand the mechanics of how. Your heels are essential to every footfall when standing erect and moving around. The largest bone your feet have combined with muscles, ligaments, and other tissues to help you evenly distribute weight while walking.

Like the rest of your feet, heels can experience pain for various reasons, but what conditions will likely affect them in the morning when you’re trying to start the day? Let’s find out by examining some causes of heel pain, what conditions may contribute to struggling with it in the morning, and what can be done to treat it.

If you live in the Fort Worth or Weatherford, Texas area and you're dealing with heel pain in the morning or any other time of day, Drs. Gary Driver, Glen Beede, Gregory Jaryga, and their skilled medical staff at Trinity Foot & Ankle Specialists can help.

Causes of heel pain

Since we use our heels for everything while on our feet, overuse injuries are very common, things such as strains, sprains, and fractures of bone and tissue in that area, like Achilles tendonitis or tendon ruptures, bursitis, and stress fractures. However, a number of other conditions can affect it as well, including ankylosing spondylitis, bone tumors, heel spurs, Haglund’s deformity, osteomyelitis, peripheral neuropathy, different forms of arthritis, tarsal tunnel syndrome, sarcoidosis, and plantar warts.

What leads to it in the morning

Heel pain in the morning can present itself as stiffness in that area when lying down, getting up, or taking your first steps and can result from a few different conditions, including some of those listed above:

Plantar fasciitis

A common problem for the highly active, like athletes, runners, and cyclists, is an inflammation of the thick ligament on your heel called the plantar fascia, which causes stiffness and pain in the heel. Poor blood supply in that area in the morning from rest can worsen symptoms.

Achilles tendonitis

Your calf muscles and the heel bone (the calcaneus) are connected by this thick band of tissue called the Achilles tendon, and this condition is an inflammation-causing symptom when you wake up.

Stress fractures

This can be the result of an overuse injury or improper technique while walking or during intense physical activity. The pain can develop over days or weeks, leading to problems in the morning and throughout the day.

Rheumatoid arthritis

This inflammation of the heel bone and musculoskeletal tissue that wears away at your joints increases the chances of plantar fasciitis, which leads to early morning heel pain.

Hyperthyroidism

Chemical and hormone imbalances from this condition can lead to swelling and pain in your feet and ankles and pinching or damage to your tibial foot nerve, causing tarsal tunnel syndrome.

Treatment options 

Specific options are available for the conditions listed, but some basic things you can do to alleviate heel pain include stretching in bed before you get up, using footwear that supports your feet, using a night splint at a 90° angle, and using ice packs for mild to moderate pain. 

Massaging your heel with a tennis ball or a foam roller can relax the soft tissue to relieve pain, and low-impact activities can reduce the chances of dealing with these issues. If the pain is severe enough and these tips can’t touch it, seek medical attention as soon as possible. 

Heel pain at any time of day can be frustrating, but no one should deal with it just as it’s getting started. If you’re trying to cope with this or other foot issues, contact Drs. Driver, Beede, Jaryga, and their team at Trinity Foot & Ankle Specialists today to get help.