Let's Get to the Bottom of Your Morning Heel Pain

Waking up with heel pain might seem strange, especially if you’ve just enjoyed a good night of restful sleep. However, morning heel pain is generally a hallmark sign that you have plantar fasciitis, a condition that affects about one in 10 adults in the United States.

At Adler Foot and Ankle in North Miami Beach and Hallandale, Florida, we specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of heel pain stemming from plantar fasciitis and other conditions. 

Charlton Adler, DPM, and Laura Adler, DPM, provide nonsurgical treatments to relieve existing heel pain. They can also recommend lifestyle changes and other strategies to prevent plantar fasciitis symptom recurrence.

Understanding morning heel pain

Plantar fasciitis is a persistent condition that develops when the plantar fascia — or the tough band of tissue that supports your arch and connects your heel bone to the ball of your foot — becomes irritated and inflamed.

This durable tissue band is responsible for absorbing the shock of your movements. Excessive or ongoing stress from running, jumping, or standing on hard surfaces can cause tiny tears in the plantar fascia, especially near the heel bone.

As you sleep, a strained plantar fascia can tense up — especially after a day of heavy physical activity. When you get out of bed in the morning, the tensed tissues begin to stretch, which can cause pain and difficulty bearing weight on the soles of your feet.

Why early plantar fasciitis treatment is key

In early stages of plantar fasciitis, pain generally resolves within a few minutes of walking around. However, as your condition progresses, pain may persist throughout the day and interfere with your mobility.

For this reason, you should schedule a diagnostic evaluation at Adler Foot and Ankle at the first signs of recurrent morning heel pain. We use advanced diagnostic technologies to confirm plantar fasciitis and rule out other causes of heel pain, including fractures, arthritis, and nerve entrapment.

Based on the severity of your symptoms and your overall health, our providers create a treatment plan to resolve existing pain and prevent additional damage to your plantar fascia.

Non-surgical solutions for heel pain

Initially, our team may recommend lifestyle changes to lessen unnecessary pressure on your heel and surrounding tissues. These changes may include:

• Modifying your activities
• Wearing supporting shoes
• Using shoe inserts and other orthotics
• Engaging in daily stretching exercises

You may also need to follow a healthy diet plan to achieve a healthy body weight and alleviate the pressure on your ankles and feet. If these changes aren’t enough, our physicians can prescribe anti-inflammatory medications or inject steroids into the heel area. In severe cases, you may need surgery to release an overly tight plantar fascia.

Surgery is usually a last-resort option for plantar fasciitis. With an early diagnosis, we can help you avoid the need for invasive surgical repair, so you can get back to your usual routine as soon as possible.

To find out what’s causing your morning heel pain, call Adler Foot and Ankle today, or use our easy online booking feature to schedule an appointment at your nearest office in Hallandale or North Miami Beach, Florida, anytime.