The plantar fascia attaches to the large bone of the back of the foot. This fibrous band of tissue connects to the heel and the forefoot.

Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of the plantar fascia due to overuse. Heel spurs or heel bone spurs are calcium deposits that can form if the inflamed plantar fascia pulls away from the heel. About 70% of the people with plantar fasciitis will develop heel spurs due to this condition.

The calcium deposits can form a bony hook at the bottom of the heel. These bony hooks or heel spurs can cause significant pain when the person walks or stands.

A common cause of plantar fasciitis is over-pronation or flat feet. Without the normal arch of the foot, more pressure is exerted on the plantar fascia which can cause it to become inflamed and people away from the heel bone.

Having an excessively high foot arches can also make the person susceptible to plantar fasciitis. Women are more prone to heel spurs, probably due to wearing high heels and other women's footwear that does not have the same support and cushioning as men's footwear.

X-rays are often used to detect heel spurs. The doctor may question the patient about any personal medical history of plantar fasciitis. Heel spurs develop in about half the cases of plantar fasciitis. There is a medical history of plantar fasciitis in about half the cases of heel spurs.

If the heel spurs are from plantar fasciitis from over pronation, the doctor may prescribe the use of orthotics to relieve some pressure on the plantar fascia. If the person is overweight, the doctor may suggest that the person diets to reach their ideal weight to relieve some of the pressure on the plantar fascia.

Other orthotics such as heel cups or heel cradles may be prescribed to reduce pressure on the plantar fascia and cushion the heel with a heel spur. Over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are commonly used for pain relief from the pain of heel spurs. Ice packs applied to the heel may be used to help reduce some of the pain from heel spurs.

Stretching out the plantar fascia with special exercises may help prevent future incidences of plantar fasciitis. Night splints may also be used to stretch the plantar fascia. Typically, the pain from heel spurs goes away within three months with proper treatment.