Why do your feet hurt when you wake up in the morning? Especially among elderly persons, foot pain in the morning is a prevalent health concern.
While some cases are moderate, some can occasionally be so severe that it prevents you from performing daily duties and increases the stress in your life.
You might find our article helpful if you wake up with aching feet or heel pain.
We’ll talk about the four most typical causes of foot discomfort in the morning and when you should see a doctor.
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Table of Contents
Why do my feet hurt when I wake up
Morning foot pain has four primary causes:
1. Your feet hurt due to Plantar Fasciitis
One of the reasons why your feet hurt when you wake up is plantar fasciitis. It is a painful ailment brought on by irritation or inflammation of the tissue that extends along the bottom of your foot.
When attempting to walk in the morning, people frequently complain of stinging sensations.
The discomfort typically increases during the first few steps of the day and then gradually lessens as the day goes on.
Various factors, including injury, overuse, and tight footwear, can bring on plantar fasciitis.
After being inactive for a while, plantar fasciitis discomfort frequently returns when you move.
When you stand up after a prolonged period of sitting or when you walk after standing stationary, for instance, you could feel a sharp or dull discomfort.
Other times, prolonged activities such as: running or stair climbing can cause plantar fasciitis-related foot pain. When they stop moving, many people claim to feel discomfort.
Risk Factors
You may be more likely to develop plantar fasciitis if you are subject to certain risk factors.
• The elderly and middle-aged are the groups most susceptible to plantar fasciitis.
• Plantar fasciitis might develop if you are overweight because your heels must bear more weight.
• Individuals whose careers entail prolonged standing or repetitive actions.
• Those who engage in impact sports like jogging;
• Those who have flat feet.
Treatment and Remedy
There are many methods for reducing discomfort if you have plantar fasciitis. Some at-home remedies are:
- Stretch exercises
- Using ice on the affected area
- Over-the-counter painkillers that relieve inflammation
The best action is to visit a podiatrist if you feel that you have plantar fasciitis or that your plantar fascia has ruptured.
They can make a diagnosis and recommend therapies like physical therapy or specially-made orthotics to aid with foot and heel pain.
In some circumstances, to relieve strain in the plantar fascia, surgery may be necessary.
2. Your feet hurt due to Achilles Tendinitis
Another reason why your feet hurt when you wake up is the result of Achilles Tendinitis.
The thick tendon that extends through the back of your leg and joins your calf muscles to your heel is called the Achilles tendon.
Achilles tendonitis is a condition where the tendon becomes inflamed or irritated. It frequently causes discomfort and foot stiffness when you get out of bed in the morning.
Achilles tendinitis patients may feel discomfort along the tendon’s length or at the point where the tendon inserts into the heel bone.
Other typical signs include:
• Difficulty flexing or extending your toes; swelling or discomfort in the Achilles tendon
• Swelling near the heel or Achilles tendon
• weakness in the legs.
Risk Factors
You may be more likely to experience Achilles tendonitis if certain conditions exist.
• Medical disorders include obesity, psoriasis, and high blood pressure.
• Achilles tendinitis is more common in older persons.
• A cold climate: Tendinitis pain typically gets worse in colder temperatures.
Treatment and Remedy
There are several remedies you may take to reduce pain and hasten the healing process if you have Achilles tendinitis:
1. Extensive rest: For a few weeks, refrain from activities that strain your tendon. The irritated tendon will have time to recover if you get enough rest.
2. Ice Therapy: To lessen discomfort and swelling, apply ice to the area affected for 20 minutes thrice daily.
3. The compression wrap: To assist in reducing swelling and providing support for the tendon and foot, use an elastic compression wrap or put on a walking boot.
4. Foot Elevation: To reduce swelling and blood flow, lift your foot as much as possible.
5. Exercising: Slowly begin stretching and strengthening activities to help the calf muscle relax once the discomfort and inflammation have subsided.
These will also increase the Achilles tendon area’s strength, flexibility, and physical function.
A person’s pain when the tendon ruptures from the heel bone are distinct from the tendon discomfort caused by Achilles tendonitis.
If you suspect you have Achilles tendonitis, it’s necessary to seek a doctor who can create a tailored treatment plan for you.
3. Arthritis is another reason why your feet hurt
Another reason why your feet hurt when you wake up is because of what we refer to as Arthritis. Typical forms of Arthritis include rheumatoid Arthritis and osteoarthritis.
Either can bring on foot pain in the morning.
Osteoarthritis is a condition that causes the cartilage in your joints to deteriorate. The lining of your joints swells due to the inflammatory disease rheumatoid arthritis.
Rheumatoid Arthritis often causes foot discomfort and stiffness as well as redness, edema, and restricted joint movement.
Risk Factors
Arthritis risk factors include the following:
- Obesity
- Pre-existing injuries
- Old age
- Being predisposed genetically
Treatment and Remedy
You can do various things for short-term relief when your feet ache from Rheumatoid Arthritis. You might take into account the following:
- Using aspirin or ibuprofen as a pain relief.
- Applying hot or icy compresses to the injured region.
- Gentle stretching techniques include knee hugs, leg swings, ankle circles, and arch stretches.
- Wearing the right shoes. It might entail investing in footwear with an extensive toe design, good arch support, cushioned sole, or footwear inserts.
- Ill-fitting shoes can exacerbate joint pain and foot stiffness.
- Giving your feet a massage while you take a break. Oils and lotions can be helpful here.
There’s no permanent cure for rheumatoid Arthritis. However, some therapies can lessen your suffering.
These consist of weight loss, physical therapy-assisted exercise, and other medication. Only the most severe conditions necessitate surgical intervention.
4. Your feet hurt because of Hypothyroidism
The last cause on our list that may be responsible for why your feet hurt when you wake up is Hypothyroidism.
The absence of sufficient thyroid hormone production is known as Hypothyroidism.
Myxedema, a disorder that causes dry, thick skin, occasionally in the feet, can occur from this.
Your foot skin might get so thick that it begins to split and cause excruciating discomfort.
The thick skin can also exert pressure on a sensitive area of your foot known as the tarsal tunnel, which houses numerous nerves and blood vessels, leading to the condition known as tarsal tunnel syndrome.
Risk factors
Several things can cause Hypothyroidism, including:
• Exposure from radiotherapy to the head or neck area
• Higher prevalence of Hypothyroidism in women
• Family history of Hypothyroidism or autoimmune illnesses.
Other signs of Hypothyroidism include lethargy, weakness, weight gain, loss of hair, stiffness of the muscles, constipation, and weariness.
Treatment and Remedy
Fortunately, there are many things you may do at home to alleviate and avoid hypothyroidism-related foot pain:
• Monitor your diet and choose nutritionally balanced foods.
• Lose weight by engaging in low-intensity activities, including swimming, walking, and basic aerobics.
• Rest your feet properly before immersing them in warm water for 20 minutes.
It is crucial to consult your doctor as soon as possible if you experience any hypothyroidism symptoms so they may perform a blood test to measure your thyroid hormone levels.
If the test reveals that your thyroid is underactive, there’s nothing to worry about. Management of Hypothyroidism is feasible with medications; there are numerous therapy choices.
Helpful Tips and When to Visit a Doctor
If you’re an active athlete with a foot ailment, you can get assistance from an expert in sports medicine.
Most people, however, experience foot pain that can be intense and last very long. For most of us, sore feet in the morning are not the result of physical stress or injury.
You should consult a doctor if, even after two weeks of rest and at-home care, you still experience pain when you walk or put weight on one foot.
It’s best to speak with a foot and ankle expert if you suspect you have a foot condition.
Even though plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendinitis are two of the most frequent reasons for aching feet in the morning, not everyone experiences these problems.
The best thing is for you to seek medical support to determine the source of your issue. Then an expert can establish a personalized care strategy just for you.
Final Thought and Recommendations
If your feet hurt when you wake up, the best solution is to try stretching before leaving the bed and during the day if you wake up with foot pain.
Additionally, you might want to consider putting on a night splint to support keeping your injured foot at 90 degrees while you sleep.
Your tight muscles and ligaments may benefit from being extended in this way. It can also be beneficial to keep your feet flat and avoid sleeping on your stomach.
Set up an appointment with your doctor if you’ve tried stretching, wearing suitable footwear, and putting insoles in your shoes, but the pain persists.
Make an appointment right away because you might have ripped a ligament or tendon if you notice any swelling or changes in the color of your skin or if your foot feels warm to the touch.
