Patients and doctors often confuse the terms heel spur and plantar fasciitis . While these two conditions are related, they are not the same thing. Plantar fasciitis refers to the inflammation of the plantar fascia--the tissue that forms the arch of the foot. A heel spur is a hook of bone that can form on the foot bone (calcaneus) and is associated with plantar fasciitis.

About 70% of patients with plantar fasciitis have a heel spur that can be seen on X-Ray. However, many patients without symptoms of pain can have a heel spur. The exact relationship between plantar fasciitis and heel spurs is not known for sure.

Heel spurs are commonly seen in patients who have a history of foot pain caused by plantar Fasciitis and can be found in all age groups. The heel spur itself is not thought to be the primary cause of pain, rather inflammation and irritation of the plantar fascia is thought to be the primary problem. The diagnosis of a heel spur is made when an X-ray shows a hook of bone protruding from the bottom of the foot at the point where the plantar fascia is attached to the heel bone.

Treatment Overview

Treatment of heel spurs is the same as the treatment of Plantar Fasciitis

The goals of wearing orthotics to treat heel spurs:

To relieve inflammation and pain in the heel.

Our supporting heel cup “holds” the heel bone in a stable position where the spur cannot be agitated while walking.

To help maintain the flexibility of the foot and prevent the heel spur pain from returning.