Foot pain with your first steps in the morning can make starting the day difficult. The discomfort might ease after you move around, but that does not mean the cause should be ignored. One cause is plantar fasciitis. This term means irritation of the band of tissue that supports the bottom of the foot. The tissue can tighten while you sleep, leading to sharp heel or arch pain when you stand. Morning pain can also be linked to a strained tendon, stiff joints, or a small stress injury in a bone.

Shoes that lack proper support can place pressure on painful areas. Changes in activity, long periods of standing, and the way your feet meet the ground can affect your symptoms. The location, pattern, and strength of the pain provide clues. Pain under the heel can feel different from discomfort near the toes or along the outside of the foot. A chiropodist can examine your feet and ask when the pain began. The assessment can look at how you stand, how you move, and how your shoes fit. This information helps the chiropodist identify the source of the problem and build a treatment plan.

Care options include custom-made orthotics, advice about shoes, and changes to activities that place excess pressure on the sore area. A chiropodist can also monitor your progress and adjust the treatment plan as your needs change. Early assessment can reduce the chance that pain will interfere with work, exercise, or other daily activities. It can also uncover concerns that require closer attention. Prompt care is essential when pain is severe, swelling is present, or putting weight on the foot is difficult. If you have foot pain first thing in the morning, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a chiropodist for a diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Foot pain can have many causes. To receive an accurate diagnosis and treatment for your foot pain, please consult with Cynthia Chan, B.Sc., D.Ch from Healthy Advantage Foot & Orthotic Clinic. Our practitioner will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment. 

Causes

There are a variety of different conditions that can cause foot pain, including: 

• Plantar fasciitis
• Deformities, such as bunions or hammertoes
• Injuries to the muscles, bones, tendons, or ligaments in the feet
• Arthritis
• Flat feet
• Ingrown toenails

Symptoms

The type and location of your foot pain can help determine what may be causing it and what type of treatment options are best for you. 

Common types of foot pain include: 

• Heel pain
• Arch pain
• Toe pain
• Ball of foot pain
• Pain that has a stabbing, burning, or tingling quality
• Pain that is constant, intermittent, or that gets better or worse depending on the situation 

Diagnosis

A thorough medical history and physical examination of your feet will be required to determine a diagnosis. Imaging studies, such as X-rays or MRIs may be performed to rule out or confirm certain diagnoses. 

Treatment

Treatment will depend on the cause of the pain. Common treatments for foot pain include resting, icing, compressing, and elevating the affected foot, wearing orthotics, or taking anti-inflammatory medications. 

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Scarborough, ON .