Heel Spurs vs. Plantar Fasciitis: How to Tell the Difference

Heel pain is a common podiatry complaint that brings many residents of the greater Alexandria, Virginia, area to Capital Podiatry Associates.

If you’re experiencing heel pain and wondering what might be causing it, we can help. Our access to state-of-the-art diagnostic tools determines the source of your discomfort to get you started on the right treatment path. 

Let’s talk about some of the differences between heel spurs and plantar fasciitis, two of the more common causes of heel pain. 

What are heel spurs, and how do they develop?

Heel spurs are bony protrusions located on the bottom of your heel bone, where it connects to the band of tissue that runs from the heel to the ball of the foot. This connective tissue is known as the plantar fascia. 

Heel spurs develop as a result of stress and inflammation. Your body reacts by depositing calcium in an effort to create additional bone tissue. These small calcium deposits develop gradually over several months and can eventually cause pain when they make contact with the tissues in the area. 

What is plantar fasciitis, and how does it develop?

Plantar fasciitis develops when the tissue that connects the heel and ball of your foot, your plantar fascia, sustains small tears caused by tension and stress. While the plantar fascia is incredibly tough, it can be damaged by repeated stretching and tearing. 

Because this tissue doesn’t have significant blood flow, it cannot repair itself as easily as many other tissues within your body. This means that minimal damage to the plantar fascia can accumulate over time, eventually leading to plantar fasciitis. 

How are heel spurs and plantar fasciitis linked?

Plantar fasciitis can lead to heel spurs as the body attempts to build new bone when faced with strain on the plantar fascia. However, there are several other causes of heel spurs, including repeated tearing of the membrane covering the heel bone or abnormalities with your gait (i.e., the way you walk). 

While heel spurs and plantar fasciitis are linked, they are two distinct conditions. 

How to tell the difference between heel spurs and plantar fasciitis

When a patient arrives in our office complaining of heel pain, we perform a comprehensive diagnostic assessment. That process includes a discussion of your symptoms and what seems to make them better or worse. 

We also examine your feet and perform some basic hands-on tests to learn more about the source of your pain. For example, pressing on your calcaneal tubercle, which is the inner part of your heel bone, will cause significant pain if you have plantar fasciitis. 

We also look at how well you can flex your ankles and whether you have high arches or flat feet, both of which can lead to plantar fasciitis. 

A discussion of your symptoms is another important part of the diagnostic process. Many people with plantar fasciitis experience pain when they first put weight on their foot after sleeping. Understanding how your workplace obligations and recreational pursuits affect your foot health is also important. 

When it comes to bone spurs, advanced imaging can provide a visual representation of these abnormal growths. It’s important to note that not everyone with heel spurs experiences pain. It isn’t uncommon for people to first learn they have heel spurs at the same time they’re diagnosed with plantar fasciitis. 

Don’t try to guess the cause of your heel pain

At the end of the day, trying to determine the source of heel pain on your own doesn’t help bring you any closer to finding relief. There’s no need to guess or speculate when you have access to a team of highly skilled foot health specialists at Capital Podiatry Associates.

If you’ve noticed changes in how your feet feel or function, reach out to our office online or by phone to book a personalized diagnostic assessment. We’ll work to get to the bottom of your symptoms and present the full scope of treatment options.