A heel spur is a bony growth that can develop near the heel bone.Many people use the term “heel spur” when talking about heel pain , but a heel spur itself is not always the true cause of the pain. In many cases, the symptoms are more closely related to irritation of the plantar fascia or other soft tissues around the heel.
This is why proper assessment matters. Some people have a heel spur on imaging and no pain at all, while others have strong heel pain that feels like a heel spur but is actually coming from plantar fasciitis or another heel condition.
Because the symptoms are very similar, heel spur pain is often confused with plantar fasciitis. In many cases, the discomfort under the heel is actually coming from soft tissue irritation rather than the bony spur itself.
Heel spur and plantar fasciitis are often talked about together because both can be linked with pain under the heel. In many cases, people who think they have a heel spur are actually experiencing plantar fascia irritation. The important thing is not just the label, but identifying which structure is actually causing the symptoms.
Not all heel pain is caused by a heel spur. Pain under or around the heel can also come from the plantar fascia, heel fat pad, Achilles tendon, nerves, or other structures. That is why a proper clinical assessment is often more useful than assuming the pain is from a spur alone.
If you have ongoing pain under the heel and think it might be a heel spur, Medifoot Clinic can help assess what is really driving the pain. We look at your symptoms, footwear, daily load, and movement so treatment is based on the cause, not just the label.
Whether your pain is being called a heel spur or plantar fasciitis, the goal is to identify the real source and put together a treatment plan that helps you walk more comfortably.
What is a heel spur?
A heel spur is a bony growth near the heel bone. It may be seen on imaging, but it is not always the actual reason for heel pain.
Is heel spur the same as plantar fasciitis?
No. They are related terms but not the same thing. Many people with pain they call a heel spur are actually experiencing plantar fascia irritation.
Do all heel spurs cause pain?
No. Some people have a heel spur and no symptoms at all. The pain may instead come from nearby soft tissues.
How is heel spur pain treated?
Treatment usually focuses on reducing strain, improving support, and addressing the actual structure causing pain rather than the bony spur alone.