Heel spurs are often associated with plantar fasciitis. This bony growth and projection, visible by X-ray, appears on the bottom of the heel and extends towards the toes and can develop from the pull and tension of the plantar fascia. A heel spur indicates stress on the bone from the pull of the fascia, and is not a cause of heel pain. However, because a heel spur is usually associated with the heel pain caused by plantar fasciitis,
heel pain is sometimes referred to as “heel spur syndrome.” Heel spurs result from strain on the heel bone by the stretching of the plantar fascia, the long band of tissue that connects the heel and the ball of the foot. Heel spurs may result from biomechanical imbalance, running or jogging, improperly fi tted or excessively worn shoes, or obesity. On rare occasions, the heel spur may fracture and pull away from the heel bone and could then be the cause of heel pain.
