Advice on Foot Care

The heel spur on the bottom of the heel bone (calcaneus) in this picture looks like it would be painful. But, this individual has never had heel pain. Heel spurs on the bottom of the heel are rarely the source of heel pain. When the heel spurs occur on the bottom of the heel, they are generally associated with plantar fasciitis, the most common cause of heel pain.
Heel spurs on the bottom of the heel develop when the plantar fascia (a long ligament type structure in the bottom of the foot) exerts excessive traction force on the heel bone. This gradually occurs over time. Heel spurs can also develop in individuals with rheumatoid arthritis and Reiter’s Syndrome. Heel pain on the bottom of the heel is generally caused by plantar fasciitis, which is the inflammation and subsequent deterioration of the plantar fascia. In some cases, the heel spur may contribute to the heel pain, but it is important to understand that the heel spur is generally not the main cause of pain. For those individuals with heel pain, treatment is not directed at the heel spur.

About 90% of individuals with heel pain from plantar fasciitis will respond to conservative treatments. When conservative therapy fails, the next step may be extra corporeal shock wave therapy, coblation therapy, endoscopic plantar fascial release or open heel surgery. More information on heel pain treatments.

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