The term heel spur and planter fasciitis always confuses the doctor and patients too. Although these two diagnoses are somewhat related, they are surely not the same thing. Plantar fasciitis refers to the inflammation of the plantar fascia, the tissue that forms the arch of the foot. A heel spur is a hook of bone that can form on the foot bone and is associated with plantar fasciitis too.

Heel spurs are usually seen in patients who have a past of foot pain caused by plantar fasciitis. The setting of plantar fasciitis, heel spurs are most often seen in middle-aged men and women, but can be found in all age groups. The heel spur itself is not considered to be the primary cause of pain, rather inflammation and irritation of the plantar fascia is thought to be the primary problem. The analysis of a heel spur is made when an X-ray shows a hook of bone protruding from the bottom of the foot at the point where the plantar fascia is attached to the heel bone.

Causes of a heel spur:

The plantar fascia is a thick ligament connective tissue that runs from the heel bone to the ball of the foot. This strong and tight tissue adds to maintaining the curve of the foot. It is also one of the major transmitters of weight across the foot as one walks or runs. Therefore, the stress placed on the plantar fascia is incredible. When a patient has plantar fasciitis, it becomes inflamed and degenerative these irregularities can make normal activities quite painful.

Main and prominent symptoms:

Symptoms are typically deteriorated early in the morning after sleep. At that time, the plantar fascia is tight and simple movements stretch the constricted plantar fascia. As one begin to loosen the tendon, the pain usually subsides but often returns with prolonged standing or walking. Heel spurs form in some patients who have plantar fasciitis and tend to occur in patients who have had the problem for a stretched period of time. While about 70% of patients with plantar fasciitis have a heel spur and x-rays also show about 50% of patients with no symptoms also have a heel spur.

If you’re anything like how I used to be, then you will be familiar with experiencing the occasional “shooting” type of foot pain after putting your feet through a long and stressful day. It is important for you to be able to have your foot pain diagnosed properly. With that in mind, I have prepared this post to hopefully help you do this.




The first type of foot pain that I want to discuss is Heel Spurs.

Heel Spurs
The symptoms of heel spurs are very similar to those of plantar fasciitis, in-fact heel spurs are often wrongly diagnosed as plantar fasciitis. The pain is very similar and is also found in the same parts of the foot. Like plantar fasciitis, the foot pain is usually at its worst in the mornings after sleeping or after prolonged periods of inactivity. If you find that the sorest point of the foot is where the heel and the arch meet, then it probably means that it’s a heel spur.

A heel spur is a growth of bone on the underside of the heel at the point where the muscles and ligaments attach. The aforementioned heel spur growths occur when the heel bone loses some of its fascia, resulting in little droplets of blood being left behind on the heel bone. After a while, these droplets solidify and become a bone-like growth on the heel bone causing an unpleasant foot pain sensation.

If you have foot pain caused by heel spurs then see your doctor to gain permanent relief from it. You will definitely benefit from wearing orthotics and if the symptoms warrant it, then surgery may be the answer.

The Next Type of Foot Pain I want to Discuss is a Metatarsal Stress Fracture

This type of foot pain would be located along the top of your foot, on the long bone which joins your toes with the top of your foot. The symptoms are a stabbing pain along the top of your foot. The affected area is often swollen and / or red. A common cause of a metatarsal stress fracture is long distance running or playing sports in which you use your feet such as soccer. It usually takes around 6 weeks to completely recover from this type of foot pain.

Plantar Fasciitis Foot Pain

Plantar fasciitis is probably the most common of foot pain injuries. The pain is often at its most excruciating after prolonged periods of inactivity such as sleep or rest. Where as with heel spurs, the pain is at the front of the heel, with plantar fasciitis the foot pain is located in the center of the heel. This is caused when the plantar fascia (the connecting tissue between your toes and your heel which forms your foot’s arch) becomes damaged by overstretching and overuse.

If you want to treat this type of foot pain then it is imperative that you ensure that your calves and hamstrings are warmed up first by performing some stretching exercises as outlined in this plantar fasciitis stretches post.

Finally, the foot pain condition that I would like to discuss is flat feet.

Flat Feet
People with flat feet (fallen arches) experience a myriad of symptoms including sore arches, aches and pains in their feet, legs and lower back. Providing additional support by strapping the arch often helps to alleviate the foot pain. If you suffer with foot pain caused by flat feet then I would recommend that you visit your local podiatrist. Also be sure you check out this list of the best shoes for flat feet here: The Best Running Shoes for Flat Feet