Half of plantar fasciitis patients also suffer from heel spurs. This is according to recent research by the European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine (EJMCM). However, although heel spurs and plantar fasciitis are connected, each condition is distinct.
Here’s what you should know about heel spur vs. plantar fasciitis.
Heel Spur vs. Plantar Fasciitis Comparison
These conditions are often associated with heel pain. But their definitions differ, and so do the root causes.
Plantar Fasciitis
It affects the fibrous tissue stretching from the toes to the heel. Plantar fasciitis patients experience inflammation and small tears in the tissue, injuries that prompt the body to form protective bony protrusions that end up as heel spurs.
One notable symptom of plantar fasciitis is sharp heel pain when you take the first steps in the morning or after a rest period. This aching affects the region below the arch or the foot’s bottom near the heel.
Heel Spur Syndrome
Otherwise called calcaneal spurs, the condition occurs when calcium deposits create a bony protrusion below the heel, right where the plantar fascia meets the heel bone. The extension is visible on an X-ray and can extend to 0.5 inches.
And although 50% of plantar fasciitis patients develop bone spurs, heel spurs rarely cause pain in the plantar fascia.
Diagnosing Heel Pain
A symptom assessment can help differentiate heel spur vs. plantar fasciitis. However, you need a comprehensive clinical evaluation, including imaging, to reveal the cause of your foot pain.
Most instances of heel discomfort can be attributed to plantar fasciitis. The purpose of imaging is to diagnose plantar fasciitis by ruling out other causes of heel pain like Achilles tendonitis and fractures.
X-rays can detect heel spurs between 6–12 months and also reveal calcaneal cysts, stress fractures, and other bone-related causes of foot pain.
Treatment Options
If your symptoms are mild, your doctor can recommend custom orthotics, ice packs, rest, physical therapy, cortisone shots, and other non-surgical treatments to manage your condition.
However, if these interventions fail, you may be a candidate for surgical procedures like gastrocnemius recession. It involves lengthening calf muscles to ease pressure on the plantar fascia.
Let Us Help
Foot Specialists of Birmingham provides fast and effective care for all foot conditions. Besides addressing your heel spur vs. plantar fasciitis concerns, we have a variety of non-invasive and surgical treatment options for your foot pain. Our specialists will also support you through recovery to get you back to your day-to-day activities. Don’t struggle with foot pain by yourself—contact us today for individualized treatment plans.
