What condition is indicated by burning heel pain that is worse in the morning?

What condition is indicated by burning heel pain that is worse in the morning?

• A. Achilles tendinitis
• B. Plantar fasciitis
• C. Jones fracture
• D. Sesamoiditis

Answer: (B)

The condition indicated by burning heel pain that is worse in the morning is indeed plantar fasciitis. This condition is characterized by inflammation of the plantar fascia, which is a thick band of tissue that runs across the bottom of the foot and connects the heel bone to the toes. Patients with plantar fasciitis often report sharp or burning pain in the heel that is typically most severe when they first get out of bed in the morning or after periods of inactivity. This morning pain occurs because the plantar fascia tightens overnight, and the first few steps in the morning stretch it and can lead to increased discomfort. In contrast, Achilles tendinitis primarily presents pain at the back of the heel and calf region, often related to overuse and activity rather than being specific to morning pain. A Jones fracture refers to a specific type of fracture in the fifth metatarsal of the foot, which presents with different symptoms, such as localized pain and swelling. Sesamoiditis, on the other hand, involves pain beneath the big toe from irritation of the sesamoid bones, which would not typically cause heel pain. The classic symptom profile of burning heel pain worsened by inactivity and improved somewhat by movement strongly aligns with the diagnosis of plantar fasciitis.

The condition indicated by burning heel pain that is worse in the morning is indeed plantar fasciitis. This condition is characterized by inflammation of the plantar fascia, which is a thick band of tissue that runs across the bottom of the foot and connects the heel bone to the toes.

Patients with plantar fasciitis often report sharp or burning pain in the heel that is typically most severe when they first get out of bed in the morning or after periods of inactivity. This morning pain occurs because the plantar fascia tightens overnight, and the first few steps in the morning stretch it and can lead to increased discomfort.

In contrast, Achilles tendinitis primarily presents pain at the back of the heel and calf region, often related to overuse and activity rather than being specific to morning pain. A Jones fracture refers to a specific type of fracture in the fifth metatarsal of the foot, which presents with different symptoms, such as localized pain and swelling. Sesamoiditis, on the other hand, involves pain beneath the big toe from irritation of the sesamoid bones, which would not typically cause heel pain.

The classic symptom profile of burning heel pain worsened by inactivity and improved somewhat by movement strongly aligns with the diagnosis of plantar fasciitis.