Why Do My Feet Hurt in the Morning?

Do you gingerly edge your feet out of bed in the morning and onto the floor and then cringe, dreading the pain you know you’ll experience when you take those first few steps? If so, we at Goldsmith Podiatry would like to help you get to the source of that pain and eliminate it. Morning foot pain is symptomatic of a few different podiatric disorders. The location of the pain and the sensations you experience can give a clue to the source. Below are some common causes of a.m. foot pain.

Arthritis—There are many types of arthritis, but they mostly all share some common characteristic: joint pain. Since there are 30 joints in each foot, your pain can be in various spots, including the ankle, toes, and top of the foot. With arthritis, you may also find your foot feels particularly stiff in the morning, and you may not have the full range of motion when you try to bend or move it.

Plantar Fasciitis—If your pain is in your heel, the most likely source is an inflamed plantar fascia (with or without heel spurs). This long band of tissue forms the foot's arch and stretches from your toes to your heel. Anything that puts extra pressure on the plantar fascia—running, being overweight, or standing for extended periods on hard surfaces—can result in irritation and inflammation. People with plantar fasciitis often get sharp, stabbing pains in the heel with the first few steps they take in the morning, but as they walk around, the pain lessens.

Flat Feet—This disorder can also cause heel pain because of its link to the foot's arch, which, when stressed, hurts the heel. Flat feet can be a genetic condition or one that occurs over time as the foot's arch collapses. For people with flat feet, footwear selection is key—avoid flat shoes and those with poor arch support.

Getting Relief

The first step to relieving your morning foot pain is to make an appointment at our Upper West Side Manhattan office by calling 212-877-1002. Our podiatrist, Dr. Howard Goldsmith, Dr. Rosanna Troia, and Dr. Kristina Ruff will examine your feet and ankles and get a complete medical history to track down the source of your foot pain. Once a diagnosis is determined, the correct prescribed treatment can get you back to pain-free mornings.