Waking up with foot pain can be extremely painful, but it’s also common. Most often, the cause is plantar fasciitis, a disorder in which the tissue that stretches across the bottom of your foot becomes frequently inflamed. Although this happens often with runners, anyone can experience it.
The answer to many of these common causes of foot pain is simpler than you might think. Often, it comes down to something as simple as wearing a night splint. In this blog, Dr. Sean Rosenblum of Foot and Ankle Care of Passaic, located in Lodi, New Jersey, explains more about the causes of foot pain and why wearing night splints can help.
One of the most common causes of recurring foot pain is plantar fasciitis. The plantar fascia is a narrow band of tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot, between your heels and your toes. You might have this condition if you wake up with heel pain or throbbing most mornings, though only our team of medical experts can confirm it.
People who are overweight, pregnant women, and those who wear shoes with poor arch support are more likely to develop plantar fasciitis.
Another common cause of foot pain is Achilles tendonitis, in which your Achilles’ tendon becomes inflamed as a result of frequent exercise. This chronic inflammation is responsible for a great deal of pain.
Foot pain can also be caused by heel spurs or even bunions, though these conditions are less likely to benefit from treatments such as night splints.
We most often use night splints for treating plantar fasciitis, as the condition often doesn’t respond as well to other interventions. Many people with both plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendonitis tighten their feet without knowing it while sleeping, which can put pressure on the plantar fascia and the Achilles’ tendon.
A night splint holds your feet in place as you sleep. It also helps the inflammation in your feet to heal. This means that you can wake up pain-free, though it doesn’t provide immediate relief. You’ll have to keep using it consistently to see results.
Plantar fasciitis and Achilles’ tendonitis are often fixable with a few easy interventions. You can stretch your feet by flexing your feet in all directions, especially before exercising. Wear supportive shoes with good arch support as often as you can, even indoors. In some cases, wearing orthotic inserts in your shoes can also be helpful.
According to the Mayo Clinic, most cases of plantar fasciitis will eventually resolve on their own within a few months. It’s recommended that in addition to regular stretching, you also take over-the-counter pain relievers. However, it’s also not uncommon for people to experience repeated bouts of plantar fasciitis, so it’s better to seek care and treatment with our team sooner rather than later.
If you’re experiencing foot pain, it’s always a good idea to see the doctor. If you would like to talk to Dr. Sean Rosenblum about whether a night splint can help your foot pain, call the office today or request an appointment online.
