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20 December 2010
Plantar fasciitis and heel spur pain are often confused because they are similarly painful and are medically connected. However, plantar fasciitis is pain in the plantar fascia, while a heel spur is a bone that can form on the heel that looks similar to a hook and is associated with plantar fasciitis.
Most patients with an x-ray identified heel spur also experience symptoms of plantar fasciitis, however, some do present with no pain involved.
When the foot suffers from abnormal growth, heel spurs can develop. This abnormal growth is generally associated with the stretching of the plantar fascia away from the heel, which causes the calcium deposits resulting in a heel spur. The aforementioned stretching is most generally seen in those with extremely low or extremely high arches, but is also often seen in women who often wear high heels.
When the stretching of the plantar fascia is caught early, orthotics can be used to help with prevention of the stretch. Should a heel spur develop, however, the treatment is the same as plantar fasciitis. Early conservative treatment includes rest of the painful foot, and a move to lower intensity exercise until heel pain has subsided. The use of cold therapy is also recommended to decrease swelling and inflammation in the affected area. Your physician may recommend physical therapy, where the therapist can not only recondition the painful foot, but teach you exercises and stretches to help avoid pain in the future. Also, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen and aspirin are helpful to alleviate pain and swelling. A custom, specialized splint may be prescribed to you as well to wear at night. This specialized splint will aid in the proper and correct stretching of the plantar fascia to alleviate morning pain and aid in the healing process. If all conservative treatments have failed, your physician may suggest corticosteroid injections, but only in rare cases. It has been found by many physicians that injections of corticosteroids directly into the plantar fascia have caused some weakness, which may lead to plantar fascia rupture.
While the genetic inheritance of extremely low or high arches cannot be avoided, plantar fasciitis and thus heel pain can be delayed or possibly lessened by the use of orthotic shoes or inserts. In addition, attention to the proper footwear while exercising is also extremely important. It is critical to wear shoes that are properly fitted, and are appropriate for the activity you are engaging in. Proper stretching before and after working out needs to be carefully attended to and performed consistently.
References
MayoClinic.com
