Verdict: FALSE.
A common cause… but far from being the only one
The heel spur is often discovered during an x-ray examination, but it is not systematically responsible for the pain.
In many cases, it is mainly inflammation of the plantar aponeurosis – the ligament that supports the arch of the foot – that causes the discomfort.
The pain is generally more pronounced during the first steps in the morning or after a prolonged period of rest.
Other illnesses may be involved
Achilles tendonitis, stress fracture, bursitis or certain inflammatory diseases can also cause heel pain.
The doctor is interested in the exact location of the pain, its duration, the activities performed and the circumstances of its appearance.
When to consult?
Pain that persists for several weeks, prevents walking or appears after trauma merits medical advice.
Depending on the case, imaging tests may be necessary to precisely identify the origin of the symptom.
Good reflexes
Relative rest, suitable shoes and stretching exercises can sometimes relieve mechanical heel pain.
On the other hand, persistent pain should not be automatically attributed to a heel spur without medical evaluation.
What to remember
Not all heel pain is caused by a heel spur. Several conditions can cause similar symptoms, hence the importance of a precise diagnosis.
Advice from Dr Gérald Kierzek
The most common cause is plantar fasciitis: it is characterized by pain under the heel, greatest with the first steps in the morning or after prolonged sitting, which subsides when warming up and then returns at the end of the day. If the pain is located behind the heel, at the insertion of the Achilles tendon, it is Achilles tendinopathy. Sudden pain after exercise, a heel that swells, reddens or becomes impossible to put on, or nighttime pain at rest falls outside this scope and merits rapid medical advice.