Plantar Fasciitis vs Heel Spur
Plantar fasciitis and Heel spurs can be related or coexisting conditions, but they are not the same thing.
Here’s a breakdown of their differences:
Cause: Inflammation of the plantar fascia, the thick band of tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot and connects the heel to the toes.
Symptoms: Sharp, stabbing heel pain, usually worse in the morning or after long periods of rest. Pain decreases with movement but can return after prolonged activity.
Diagnosis: Typically based on symptoms and physical examination, but ultrasound can confirm inflammation.
Treatment: Rest, stretching, orthotics, shockwave therapy, laser therapy, and in some cases corticosteroid injections.
Cause: A bony growth (calcium deposit) on the heel bone, often resulting from long-term strain on the plantar fascia or Achilles tendon. Two areas, heel spurs can occur, are at the back of the heel (dorsal heel spur) or under the sole (plantar heel spur). The dorsal spurs are often associated with Achilles tendinopathy, while spurs under the sole are associated with Plantar fasciitis.
Symptoms: Many people with heel spurs experience no symptoms. If pain occurs, it’s often due to associated plantar fasciitis rather than the spur itself.
Diagnosis: X-ray confirmation of a bone spur. In most cases, the heel spur is simply an incidental finding on an X-ray.
Treatment: Treatment is done for the associated plantar fasciitis —orthotics, stretching, and shockwave therapy. Surgery to remove the spur is rarely needed.
Key Differences
Plantar fasciitis is an inflammatory condition; a heel spur is a structural change in the bone.
Plantar fasciitis causes pain, while heel spurs may not unless inflammation is present.
Heel spurs often develop because of untreated plantar fasciitis but are not the direct cause of pain.
Both heel spurs and plantar fasciitis have several shared risk factors, including but not limited to repetitive stress, obesity, tightness in the calf muscles, and high arches or flat feet. In addition, osteoarthritis is also linked with heel spurs.
In some cases, heel spurs may be linked to inflammatory arthritis. If you or someone you know is struggling with heel pain, Relief Podiatry can help. Simple visit our online booking system to arrange your next appointment.
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