Morning Heel Pain: Why Does My Heel Hurt When I Get Out of Bed?

Pain in the bottom of the heel and arch is usually caused by a condition called plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis is inflammation of the plantar fascia ligament that supports the arch on the bottom of the foot. It is usually caused by overuse injuries, and also is related to your foot shape, ie, people with flat arches and high arches can be more susceptible. There are other things that can cause heel pain, however, so getting the proper diagnosis by an expert is important in order to get the right treatment.

Often it hurts most with the first few steps out of bed and eases once you get moving, that is the classic pattern of plantar fasciitis. There are a variety of different presentations though, so it’s best to have it evaluated by a professional, including getting xrays to rule out other types of problems.

Why isn’t the pain improving?

Injuries to the foot tend to take longer to heal than other body parts, partly because it is difficult to stay off your feet. Injuries need rest, and time to heal, and when we continue to walk and bear weight on an injured foot, that doesn’t help the situation. So we don’t want to keep adding insult to injury by continuing to stress and strain an injured ligament. In addition to resting, it’s important to get proper shoes and arch supports. People who are wearing shoes that are flat, or soft, without much structure and support, aren’t helping themselves either. You need proper shoes to offload all that weight bearing pressure.

Arch supports are another vital part of the recovery and healing process. Arch supports literally hold the arch up, which takes the load off the plantar fascia ligament, so if you aren’t using proper arch supports you’re basically asking the injured ligament to do all the work of holding the arch up by itself.

What a Visit Actually Looks Like

At Foot envy, we will do a full exam, get digital xrays in the office, confirm your diagnosis, and make sure you understand everything that’s going on. I like to inform everybody about their diagnosis so it is clear. Then we will discuss treatment options that actually work, so you can get back to being pain free as soon as possible, and then prevent this from being a problem down the road. For some patients, a cortisone injection can provide some significant pain relief. We are never in a rush at the clinic - you will have plenty of time to ask all your questions and discuss your concerns with Dr Udall, and he will patiently listen to you and help you get back to pain free.

Why do orthotics help so much?

Orthotics support your feet and relieve pain, and they are a main treatment for plantar fasciitis, along with proper shoes. By supporting your arch with the orthotics, the plantar fascia ligament gets to take a break and rest, which facilitates proper healing as soon as possible. While some over the counter arch supports can be helpful, custom orthotics are recommended because they are made just for your feet, kinda like how your prescription glasses are made just for your eyes. We use digital scanning to create a three-dimensional cast of your foot, and then they’re made by a professional orthotics lab. Not only will the custom orthotics help in the short term, but they will also give you arch support going forward, preventing future episodes or flare ups. Dr Udall will help you evaluate shoes, and determine what arch support is best for you. Don’t trust the health of your feet to any ole shoe store, who is willing to sell you an overpriced piece of plastic, but in reality they don’t know anything about your feet. Trust a foot expert to help you get exactly what you need.

Come see the doctor about your heel pain!

Call Foot Envy at 623-248-4734. We are at 14539 W Indian School Rd, Suite 880 in Goodyear, southeast corner of Indian School and Bullard, seeing patients from Pebble Creek, Avondale, Buckeye, Litchfield Park, Verrado, Estrella, Pebble Creek, Sun City, Sun City West and the Luke AFB community. Same-week appointments are usually available. We accept Medicare and most major insurance. We also have great self pay rates. Se habla espanol.

You can read more about plantar fasciitis and heel pain treatment in Goodyear, or learn about the practice at Foot Envy.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does plantar fasciitis last?

It depends on how soon you start treating it and how consistent you are. Patients who catch it early often see relief sooner. Patients who have been dealing with it for longer may need to be more patient with their recovery time.

Is my heel pain a heel spur?

Plantar fasciitis is inflammation of the ligament along the bottom of the foot. A heel spur is a small bony growth on the heel bone. A bone spur may show up on X-rays, but the spur is not the source of the pain. Treating the fasciitis is what fixes the pain in almost every case.

Will I need surgery for heel pain?

The vast majority of cases resolve with stretching, supportive shoes, custom orthotics, and other conservative options like cortisone injections. Surgery is really reserved for recurrent or severe cases that do not improve with conservative care only.

This article is general information and is not medical advice. Heel pain has more than one possible cause, and you should be evaluated in person rather than assuming what is going on with your foot.

Visit Foot Envy in Goodyear, AZ

Foot Envy
14539 W Indian School Rd, Suite 880
Goodyear, AZ 85395
Phone: 623-248-4734

⁠

Stay connected with Foot Envy for foot care tips, clinic updates, and helpful information from Dr. Craig Udall.

Follow Foot Envy Online:
⁠Facebook | ⁠X | ⁠Instagram | ⁠TikTok

Had a great experience with Foot Envy? Leave us a review on Google Maps⁠