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Many patients with foot pain come to Caring Medical saying they have been diagnosed with heel spurs. Others were told they had plantar fasciitis. Such a diagnosis resulted from an x-ray that revealed some extra bone where the plantar fascia attaches to the calcaneus (heel bone). This extra bone is called a "spur.” Because it involves the heel, it is ingeniously named a "heel spur.” It is located where the plantar fascia attaches to the heel, hence plantar fasciitis.
Treatments such as a cortisone shot or surgery to remove the spur, have in some instances aggravated the condition further. These treatments do not correct the underlying defect. The plantar fascia supports the navicular, talus, and medial cuneiform bones. When the plantar fascia must also attempt to support the arch, excess pressure is placed on the calcaneus bone. The calcaneal spur forms because the plantar fascia cannot adequately support the arch. The plantar fascia is holding on for "dear life” to its attachment at the calcaneus. This holding on causes the body to grow more bone in that area, in an attempt to reduce the pressure on the ligament, which results in a heel spur.
Cortisone may temporarily relieve the pain in some cases, but it will weaken tissue long-term. Prolotherapy to the fibro-osseous junction of the plantar fascia will cause a permanent strengthening of that structure. Once the plantar fascia returns to normal strength, the chronic heel pain will be eliminated. But what about the heel spur? The heel spur is an x-ray finding. Many people have heel spurs without any pain. Prolotherapy will not remove the heel spur, but it will eliminate the chronic pain by eliminating the cause. So relax and enjoy a foot without pain.
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