Do you have heel pain when you get up in the morning?
Two diagnoses often come up: plantar fasciitis and Heel spur. But we must not confuse them.
Plantar fasciitis
- Inflammation of the plantar fascia (membrane under the foot)
- Sharp pain in the heel, especially in the morning or after a period of inactivity
- Often caused by poor footwear, flat or high arched feet, or overtraining
- It is treated with rest, orthoses, cortisone injections, stretching exercises and therapies (laser, shock waves)
Heel spur
- Small bony growth visible on X-ray
- Frequently present without causing pain
- Not necessarily responsible for plantar fasciitis, but may be a sign of chronic mechanical stress
Most often, it is plantar fasciitis that causes the pain. The thorn is often a visible consequence, but not the direct source.
