Heel pain has more than one cause, and two of the most common, plantar fasciitis and heel spurs, are often confused. They can occur together, but they are not the same thing.
Plantar fasciitis
This is inflammation of the plantar fascia, the tissue band along the bottom of the foot. It is the usual reason for sharp heel pain, especially with the first steps in the morning.
Heel spurs
A heel spur is a bony growth that forms where tissue repeatedly pulls on the heel bone. Many spurs cause no pain at all, and the pain people blame on a spur is frequently the plantar fasciitis around it.
Why the difference matters
Treating the wrong problem wastes time. We diagnose the true source, then treat it with stretching, orthotics, supportive footwear, injections, and, for stubborn cases, minimally invasive options.
See our Plantar Fasciitis and Bone Spurs pages. Book online or call 917-398-3668.