Our Vancouver Podiatrists Explain Why Heel Pain Isn't Normal
If you have consistent heel pain in the morning and you’re wondering if you should see a podiatrist, the short answer is yes. Depending on the underlying cause of your morning heel pain, self-diagnosis might make your condition worse. Our Clover Podiatry foot doctors in Vancouver will diagnose and treat your morning heel pain, helping you get back to pain-free mornings.
Common Causes of Morning Heel Pain
Many causes of morning heel pain involve inflammation or injury. Our patients often experience it because of:
- Plantar fasciitis. The plantar fascia is a thick band of tissue that connects your toes to your heel. When it’s inflamed, overstretched, or has micro-tears in it, you’ll feel it every morning and have trouble walking.
- Achilles tendinitis. The Achilles tendon links the calf muscle to the heel bone. Strain, excessive activity, and even age can compromise the tendon’s integrity, making it a challenge to move about pain-free.
- Rheumatoid arthritis. This autoimmune disease causes stiff, painful joints and increases your risk of developing plantar fasciitis.
- Stress fracture. Many people develop toe and ankle fractures from overuse or improper foot placement during running and other sports. When you have this kind of injury, heel pain isn’t isolated to just the morning—you’ll likely feel it all day.
- Hypothyroidism. This is a disease in which the thyroid gland doesn’t create and release the right amount of thyroid hormones. It’s common for people with this condition to experience inflammation and swelling in their feet, ankles, and heels.
Contact Clover Podiatry if You Notice These Heel Pain Symptoms
Since morning heel pain can be attributed to so many causes, it’s important to have a thorough examination with a podiatrist. Remember: pain isn’t “just the way it is”—there’s always a reason for it. So call us if you have:
- Sharp, stabbing pain, especially in the morning.
- Pain that improves with movement and worsens after periods of inactivity.
- Swelling or redness of the heel.
- Pain on pressing the sides of the heel or after standing for extended periods.
Proper diagnosis and treatment from a trained podiatrist are essential for full healing and the prevention of future complications. With a physical inspection, lifestyle and gait analysis, and maybe even some imaging tests, our medical team will provide an accurate diagnosis of your condition and targeted remedies for your particular heel problem.
Morning Heel Pain Treatment
Depending on the severity of your pain and the underlying cause, we might recommend conservative, at-home treatments or medical interventions.
At-Home Options
Possible home remedies for your morning heel pain include:
- Icing your heel to reduce inflammation and pain
- Specific foot massage techniques to release tension
- Targeted stretches to relieve stiffness and improve movement
- Changing your footwear to provide adequate support and fit
- Night splints to keep your foot in a lengthened position and prevent morning pain
Professional Solutions
At Clover Podiatry, we offer a range of services to resolve your heel pain, such as:
- Extracorporeal shock wave therapy
- Swift Therapy
- Physical therapy
- Orthotic devices
- Medications
- Corticosteroid injections
In certain cases, such as chronic ankle instability with heel pain, surgical interventions may be necessary to alleviate the root cause. Our goal is to always provide you with an accurate diagnosis and non-invasive but effective treatment options to help you start each day pain-free once again. However, if surgery is the best course of action, put your trust in the compassionate care team at Clover Podiatry to ensure proper healing and swift recovery.