Medically Reviewed by Dr. Rachel N. Verville
January 6, 2020
If you’ve been diagnosed by Frisco podiatrist Dr. Verville with plantar fasciitis, you may be wondering why the discomfort associated with the condition is worse in the morning. After all, you’d think a good night’s rest might be just what the doctor ordered, right?
However, as many who are diagnosed with this condition know, the first few steps they take after getting out of bed are the hardest they take all day long. The reason, podiatrists believe, is because the plantar fascia ligament has been inactive all night long while you’ve been sleeping.
What is Plantar Fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis occurs when small rips and tears take place in the plantar fascia ligament along the bottom of your foot over time. There are several factors that can contribute to developing this condition, including:
- Walking without pointing your feet straight ahead
- Having flat feet
- Having severely high arches in your feet
- Walking, standing, or running on hard, non-natural surfaces for a long period of time
- Being overweight
- Being in the final trimester of pregnancy
- Having a tight Achilles tendon
- Having tight calf muscles
- Wearing shoes that provide poor foot support
The telltale symptom of plantar fasciitis is the discomfort you feel at the bottom of your feet – especially at the heel – when first getting out of bed in the morning, or when being on your feet for prolonged periods of time. People most likely to experience this condition include athletes, runners, military service members, and customer service employees who are on their feet all day long such as retail or restaurant workers.
Why Does Inactivity of the Feet Make Symptoms Worse
When you’re sleeping at night, you aren’t actively using your feet. This means that the plantar fascia isn’t being actively engaged or used. For these reasons, when Frisco sufferers first awake and step out of bed, they experience heightened sensations of discomfort.
The Trick to Treating The Condition
If you’ve already been to Dr. Verville at Frisco’s RNV Podiatry for an examination and diagnosis, then you know that engaging the feet is actually the best defense against the uncomfortable feelings this condition brings. Those diagnosed with plantar fasciitis are often instructed to use the feet as much as possible and to undergo physical therapy and practice at-home exercise to get the plantar fascia ligament moving.
Another solution for resolving in this condition is to wear night splints while you are sleeping. These special orthotic devices take your feet from pointing downward (which is the natural position most people’s feet are in while they’re sleeping) to engaging the feet and keeping them flat. While some patients are concerned with the heaviness and bulkiness of night splints, most report that after wearing them – even only for one night – they notice a significant decrease in discomfort when they take those first few steps out of bed in the morning.
Get Rid of the Discomfort for Good
It’s never a good idea to play “Dr. Google” and try to self-diagnose a condition you think you’re experiencing, especially when it involves the level of discomfort associated with rips and tears in the plantar fascia. If you suspect you have this condition and haven’t already seen Frisco podiatrist, Dr. Verville, now’s the time to make that appointment.
To schedule an appointment at RNV Podiatry in Frisco, simply call our practice today at (214) 385-8822.
