Plantar Fasciitis vs. Heel Spurs: What’s the Difference?
Dealing with foot pain can put a damper on anybody’s day. Yet, if you have heel spurs or plantar fasciitis, applying even the slightest pressure on your feet can send shooting pain up your legs. If both conditions are painful, in what ways are they different?
Whether you need treatment for plantar fasciitis or heel spurs, the expertise of the best podiatrist in Brooklyn, NY, which you can find at Metro Healthcare Partners, is integral to your healing and recovery. Below, we explain what you should know about these common causes of heel pain, including their differences, similarities, and treatment options.
What Is Plantar Fasciitis?
Along the bottom of your foot is the plantar fascia ligament. It runs from the heel to the tip of the foot and absorbs the shock your feet take whenever you run, jump, or walk.
Occasional strain to this ligament can cause inflammation and discomfort, but chronic or sudden inflammation can trigger plantar fasciitis. Roughly 10% of the population gets plantar fasciitis. Of that percentage, about 83% of patients are working adults between 25 and 65 years old, according to StatPearls.
Symptoms include:
- Sharp pain on the bottom of your feet by the heels when standing after resting or sleeping
- Worsening pain after doing activities
- Discomfort when stretching your feet
Treatment for plantar fasciitis includes rest, especially if the problem stems from a high-impact activity.
What Is a Heel Spur?
Heel spurs are calcium deposits or bony growths around the edge of the heels’ bones. Although the term “spur” implies a spikey growth, most calcium deposits are smooth protrusions that form over time. They usually develop around joints.
Most heel spurs don’t cause pain because they’re asymptomatic. That means you could have the condition and not know it. A study in Clinics in Podiatric Medicine and Surgery mentions that about 75% of patients with foot pain have a bony growth, yet only 31% of those patients have symptoms of heel pain.
If you have the condition and experience symptoms, you might feel the following:
- Sharp morning-time foot pain
- Tenderness on the bottom of your feet
- A dull, persistent ache in your heels
- Heel inflammation and swelling
What Causes These Foot Issues?
Excessive pressure on the plantar fascia ligament can cause microtears, which trigger inflammation. Although inflammation is the immune system’s natural response to injuries, it can cause pain and stiffness around injured tissues.
On the other hand, heel spurs form due to constant strain. Failing to get treatment for plantar fasciitis can trigger bony growths, but an acute trauma will not.
How Do Doctors Treat Heel Spurs and Plantar Fasciitis?
Although these conditions might produce similar pain, discomfort, and inflammation, their treatments aren’t identical. For the former, rest, orthotic shoe inserts, nightly splints, and physical therapy may be necessary.
With spurs, the focus is on addressing the problems the bony growths cause. Rest, ice, and special shoe inserts can help alleviate the discomfort. Anti-inflammatory medications may also be necessary.
For severe heel spur cases, extracorporeal shockwave therapy may be best to relieve pain. This treatment for heel spurs alleviates discomfort by promoting blood flow and regenerating damaged tissues. Corticosteroid injections are another treatment for severe cases.
Get Help in Brooklyn for Your Foot Pain Through Metro Healthcare Partners
A diagnosis and treatment for heel spurs and plantar fasciitis can help you enjoy your life without debilitating foot pain. At Metro Healthcare Partners, our award-winning, board-certified physicians offer quality care for patients in Brooklyn, NY. Our diagnostic and treatment centers use advanced technology to help provide personalized care.
Not only do our doctors accept no-fault and workers’ compensation, but they also accept most commercial and private insurance plans, including Medicare and Personal Injury Protection (PIP). Same-day appointments may be available. Call (718) 550-2056 for an appointment or learn more about treating plantar fasciitis with shockwave therapy here.
FAQs About Heel Spurs and Plantar Fasciitis
Discover more about these foot conditions with our answers to common questions.
What Should I Stay Away From If I Have Plantar Fasciitis?
With plantar fasciitis, it’s best not to soak your feet in hot or warm water. The heated water can increase inflammation and worsen the condition.
How Long Does It Take for Heel Spurs To Heal?
Usually, it takes several weeks to several months to heal a heel spur, depending on severity and treatment.
Can I Have Both Conditions Simultaneously?
Yes, you can have both problems at the same time. According to StatPearls, about 50% of people with plantar fasciitis also have heel spurs, but the latter condition might not cause the former. Treatment for plantar fasciitis and heel spurs is necessary to prevent the conditions from progressing.
