Why do my feet hurt in the morning?
There could be many reasons why your feet hurt in the morning, such as arthritis, pinched nerves, or a stress fracture. However, if the pain is localized under your heel, plantar fasciitis is the likely culprit. The plantar fascia is a long ligament that runs under your foot and connects your heel and toe bones together to form your arch. When it is damaged from overuse, it can develop little tears and become inflamed. The fascia contracts during rest overnight, and then pulls against the heel bone where it attaches when you first put weight on it. That’s the sharp pain you feel in the morning.
Stretching, RICE therapy, and orthotics can all be used to treat this painful condition. The trick is to not let it become chronic. The earlier you treat fasciitis, the quicker you will find relief. If you are active—running, jumping, skiing, or whatever else you enjoy doing that puts pressure on your feet—you are at risk for this overuse injury. When this happens to you, let Rocky Mountain Foot & Ankle Center get you back on track. You can reach our Wheat Ridge, Golden, Evergreen, or Granby, CO, offices by calling (303) 423-2520 to set up an appointment.
