Why do my feet hurt when I wake up in the morning?

Don’t Let Uncertainty Hold Your Feet Hostage—Our Caldwell Foot Doctors Give You the Diagnosis and Care You Deserve

Pain in your feet is never a good way to start the day. However, tempting as it may be to shrug off the discomfort or attribute it to a lifetime’s worth of hard work, ignoring your body’s signals for care rarely pays off—and pain is never “just the way it is.” Read more to find out what could be causing your morning foot pain, then give the Meridian and Caldwell podiatrists at Rocky Mountain Foot & Ankle a call today to schedule a thorough examination.

3 Big Reasons Your Feet Might Hurt in the Morning

There are various causes for early-morning foot pain. Here are some of the most common conditions we treat in our Caldwell and Meridian clinics.

1. Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is caused by inflammation of the thick band of tissue that spans the bottom of each foot, called the “plantar fascia.” Its most common symptoms include:

A dull pain in the arch of your foot

Stabbing pain on, in, or around the bottom of the foot

Stiffness or swelling near the heel

Although everyone experiences plantar fasciitis-related symptoms differently, most people find their pain is at its worst early in the morning—especially after getting out of bed and taking their first steps of the day.

2. Achilles Tendonitis

Achilles tendonitis is a type of overuse injury most often reported by runners, basketball players, and other active people. However, you don’t have to be a hardcore athlete to develop this condition—it’s common in weekend warriors, too. You might have Achilles tendonitis or a related condition if you experience symptoms such as:

A mild ache in the back of your leg or above the heel

Pain that gets worse or is more noticeable immediately after running, climbing the stairs, or sprinting

Localized tenderness or stiffness that gets better after moving

Just like plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis often triggers more symptoms earlier in the day. Most people feel better after getting out of bed and moving, but then symptoms return when they’re playing sports or wake up the following morning.

3. Arthritis

Arthritis is a broad term used to describe more than 100 different types of diseases that affect the joints, including those in your feet. It’s a common example of what medical professionals term a “progressive” condition—a condition that typically worsens with time and without treatment.

If you have arthritis in your feet, you might notice:

Chronic or intermittent pain
Pain that’s worse at certain times of the day or more noticeable when engaging in specific activities
Stiffness and an overall lack of flexibility

These symptoms can be much worse in the morning than in the afternoon or evening.

Other Common Causes of Foot Pain

Plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, and arthritis are three of the leading causes of morning foot pain. However, they aren’t the only possible explanations. Other potential causes our patients experience include:

Fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia is an autoimmune condition that displays similar symptoms to arthritis, such as joint pain. If your feet are affected, they may feel uncomfortable or painful in the morning. Although this condition cannot be cured, different treatments—some as simple as soaking your feet in Epsom salts, or regularly stretching—may offer significant and long-term relief.
Torn or pulled muscles. If you’re very active—or have a tendency to exercise much more on certain days than others—your foot pain could be explained by simple soreness. However, if you twisted your foot or suffered another injury such as an ankle sprain, you could have torn or pulled a muscle.
Recurring cramps. Foot cramps have many different causes, and you might experience symptoms at almost any time of the day. Occasional cramps don’t pose much cause for concern, but recurring spasms may need a podiatrist’s evaluation.

How Rocky Mountain Foot & Ankle Help You Start a New Day With Happier, Healthier Feet

It’s not normal to have pain. Our top-notch Meridian and Caldwell podiatrists have decades of experience helping people overcome morning foot pain. We’ll investigate the cause of your discomfort, and recommend a treatment plan that makes sense for your lifestyle. Depending on your diagnosis and the potential for any complications, our team will:

Walk you through therapeutic exercises to rebuild and strengthen damaged muscles or tendons.
Prescribe custom orthotics that fit the contours of your feet and take pressure off points and parts that hurt.
Explain your options in terms of prescription medication, physical therapy, or material supports.

Pay attention to the signals your body is sending. Our entire team is ready to give you the care you deserve and a treatment approach like no other. As our patient, Jeff said, “Thank you for making my first experience with this specialty a great experience.”