A patient with heel pain that worsens throughout the day may be suffering from which condition?

The condition that most closely aligns with heel pain worsening throughout the day is plantar fasciitis. This condition is characterized by inflammation of the plantar fascia, a thick band of tissue that runs across the bottom of the foot and connects the heel bone to the toes. People with plantar fasciitis often experience the most significant pain in the morning after getting out of bed or after prolonged periods of sitting. As the day progresses, the pain can become more intense, particularly after extensive walking or standing.

This pattern is due to the way the plantar fascia can tighten overnight and then become stressed throughout the day as the foot is used more. In contrast, while conditions like Achilles tendonitis, heel spur syndrome, and bursitis can also cause heel pain, they typically present differently and may not have the same pattern of pain exacerbation as seen with plantar fasciitis. For example, Achilles tendonitis is more related to pain occurring during activities and having a stiff feeling in the morning but usually does not worsen significantly with the course of the day in the same fashion as plantar fasciitis. Understanding these nuances helps in accurately diagnosing and managing heel pain.