Inflammation of the plantar fascia ligament or Achilles tendon where they attach to your heel bone causes heel pain. Excess tension at the attachment causes inflammation. A heel spur can form at the bottom of the heel bone as a result of the tension. It is applied by the plantar fascia ligament while standing and walking causing a heel spur to form on the bottom of the heel bone. Similarly, Achilles tendon tension can cause a heel spur to form on the back of the heel. These tensions cause an injury beneath the bone’s surface and stimulate the formation of new bone in the direction of the tension.
The spur is a bone growth on the heel. The amount of tension on the plantar fascia ligament can be reduced to limit the growth of a heel spur. It can be accomplished by using a custom orthotic device to stabilize the mechanics of the lower extremity. The reduced ligament pulls limit the inflammation that occurs with plantar fasciitis.