Is There a Difference Between Plantar Fasciitis and Heel Spurs?
The terms plantar fasciitis and heel spurs are often used interchangeably but they are actually two different conditions.
Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation at the insertion point of the plantar fascia into the calcaneal bone of the heel. The plantar fascia is made up of tendon like cords that attach the forefoot to the heel and is responsible for maintaining the arch of the foot. The forward portion of the plantar fascia is spread out over each of the digits of the foot while the rearward portion connects into a single spot on the heel. Overuse injuries, collapsing arches and even loss of elasticity of the plantar fascia itself are the most common causes of plantar fasciitis. Classically, sufferers will have significant pain and even difficulty walking for the first few steps out of bed in the morning. Usually as the weight bearing activity progresses the pain will lessen. Plantar fasciitis is always associated with pain.
Even though the terms plantar fasciitis and heel spurs are often used interchangeably, they are not the same condition. Heel spurs are little bony outgrowths that project forward from the calcaneal bone of the heel. An x-ray is necessary to detect the presence of heel spurs. While the bony outgrowth will usually develop because of chronic stress to the plantar fascia, heel spurs do not necessarily cause pain. An estimated 20-25% of Americans with heel spurs are not aware of it because of the absence of any symptoms. Heel spurs will often develop as a result of chronic plantar fasciitis due to the continual stress at the point of insertion of the plantar fascia into the calcaneal bone of the heel. This is due to the fact that the body's chronic inflammatory response includes the laying down of calcium deposits in areas of stress.
Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation at the insertion point of the plantar fascia into the calcaneal bone of the heel. The plantar fascia is made up of tendon like cords that attach the forefoot to the heel and is responsible for maintaining the arch of the foot. The forward portion of the plantar fascia is spread out over each of the digits of the foot while the rearward portion connects into a single spot on the heel. Overuse injuries, collapsing arches and even loss of elasticity of the plantar fascia itself are the most common causes of plantar fasciitis. Classically, sufferers will have significant pain and even difficulty walking for the first few steps out of bed in the morning. Usually as the weight bearing activity progresses the pain will lessen. Plantar fasciitis is always associated with pain.
Even though the terms plantar fasciitis and heel spurs are often used interchangeably, they are not the same condition. Heel spurs are little bony outgrowths that project forward from the calcaneal bone of the heel. An x-ray is necessary to detect the presence of heel spurs. While the bony outgrowth will usually develop because of chronic stress to the plantar fascia, heel spurs do not necessarily cause pain. An estimated 20-25% of Americans with heel spurs are not aware of it because of the absence of any symptoms. Heel spurs will often develop as a result of chronic plantar fasciitis due to the continual stress at the point of insertion of the plantar fascia into the calcaneal bone of the heel. This is due to the fact that the body's chronic inflammatory response includes the laying down of calcium deposits in areas of stress.
2 Comments:
I found your blog (and other sites as well) when I googled Plantar Fasciitis. I fear that a heal spur is forming or has formed and wonder if that growth will continue, even if I am able to cure the Plantar Fasciitis.
By Madeline Brownstone, at 7:28 AM
Madeline:
Thank you for your inquiry. Heel spurs develop because of stress and irritation where the plantar fascia inserts into the calcaneal bone of the heel. Logically, one would assume that once the symptoms of plantar fasciitis have abated then the growth of the spur should stop. However, 30% of the population has a heel spur without knowing it. This is due to stress in this area of the plantar fascia but not sufficient enough to cause pain. The only way to really know if a heel spur stops progressing or is reabsorbed is to x-ray the foot at a later date. Once the heel pain is gone there is no reason to x-ray the foot and curiousity is usually not enough reason to expose people to radiation. So in the end, there is no way of knowing if a heel spur will continue to grow once the symptoms of plantar fasciitis have resolved becuase there are not enough patients who have had x-rays of there foot after the plantar fasciitis has resolved to look for this type of change. The good news however is that we can live with heel spurs and not experience pain. Plantar fasciitis is another story however.
Dr. Johnson
By Dr. Johnson, at 12:52 PM
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