Why did I get a heel spur?
The plantar fascia is a thick ligamentous connective tissue that runs from the calcaneus (heel bone) to the ball of the foot. This strong and tight tissue contributes to maintaining the arch of the foot. It is also one of the major transmitters of weight across the foot as you walk or run. Therefore, the stress placed on the plantar fascia is tremendous.

When a patient has plantar fasciitis, the plantar fascia becomes inflamed (tendonitis) and degenerative (tendinosis)--these abnormalities can make normal activities quite painful. Symptoms are typically worsened early in the morning after sleep. At that time, the plantar fascia is tight and simple movements stretch the contracted plantar fascia. As you 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 prolonged period of time. While about 70% of patients with plantar fasciitis have a heel spur, x-rays also show about 50% of patients with no symptoms also have a heel spur.