My Heels Hurt When I Get Out of Bed: Can You Help?

You feel OK when you’re in bed, but as soon as you take that first step in the morning, you feel the sharp pain in your heel. Chances are you have a condition called plantar fasciitis, an overuse injury where the band of tissue along the sole of your foot that connects your heel to your toes and supports your arch becomes stretched or torn.

At Chicagoland Foot and Ankle, our board-certified podiatrists diagnose and treat plantar fasciitis at our offices in and around Chicago, Illinois. If you’re struggling with heel pain that comes and goes, we have treatments that can help. Here’s what you need to know.

More about plantar fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is an extremely common problem, with over 2 million people in the United States treated for it each year. About 10% of people will develop the condition at some point in their lives.

The most common symptoms include:

Heel pain
Pain in the arch
Stiffness
Swelling around your heel
A tight Achilles tendon

The pain you feel might vary from one point in the day to another. You may experience it when you first stand up in the morning or after a long period of sitting. It usually disappears after you’ve been walking for several minutes.

You can feel the pain as a dull, constant ache or as a sharp, stabbing pain when you put pressure on the heel. Exercising may temporarily relieve the pain, but it usually gets worse again as soon as you stop.

High arches, flat feet, and being obese can all contribute to developing plantar fasciitis.

Help for plantar fasciitis

The most common treatments for plantar fasciitis include:

Over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

NSAIDs (e.g., aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen) reduce both inflammation and pain. Don’t take these for more than a week without your doctor’s approval, as they can cause gastric problems.

Resting the foot

Take a week-long break from whatever activity (i.e., sports, standing for long periods at work) caused the problem, if possible.

Icing your foot

Ice your foot for 10-15 minutes, twice a day. Use a frozen water bottle covered in a thin towel to protect your skin, and roll it along the bottom of your foot to gently massage the inflamed tissue.

Wearing supportive shoes

Wear sturdy shoes with plenty of cushioning. Sandals, flip-flops, or other flat shoes without built-in arch support, or walking barefoot, can all contribute to plantar fasciitis.

Using custom-made orthotics or shoe inserts

Orthotics are shoe inserts that hold your foot in the proper position while providing enough cushioning and support to prevent injury. While you can buy them at any pharmacy, your best bet is to have them custom-made for your feet.

Trying corticosteroid injections

Corticosteroids injected directly into the plantar fascia helps combat the inflammation causing the pain.

Physical therapy, with its use of targeted exercises and stretching can also help relieve plantar fasciitis pain.

If you’re struggling with heel pain every time you get out of bed, it’s time to see us for help. Call any of our locations (Mount Greenwood and Portage Park areas of Chicago, as well as Orland Park, Bartlett, Niles, and New Lenox, Illinois) to schedule a consultation, or book your appointment online today.