What happens if plantar fasciitis alongside calcaneal spurs are left untreated?

Without treatment, the bony spur will continue to grow — eventually becoming large enough to be felt from the outside of the heel. As the spur enlarges, treatment options become progressively more limited: what could have been managed non-surgically may require an operation, and what could have been treated with minimally invasive surgery may eventually need open surgery. Early treatment always yields better outcomes, so it is advisable not to wait.

What happens if plantar fasciitis alongside calcaneal spurs are left untreated?

Without treatment, the bony spur will continue to grow — eventually becoming large enough to be felt from the outside of the heel. As the spur enlarges, treatment options become progressively more limited: what could have been managed non-surgically may require an operation, and what could have been treated with minimally invasive surgery may eventually need open surgery. Early treatment always yields better outcomes, so it is advisable not to wait.

How Do We Treat Calcaneal Spurs? Can It Be Completely Cured?

Patients with calcaneal spurs particularly have pain at the foot sole. It causes deep pain and some may experience the sensation like stepping on a sharp thorn at the heel.
The difference between plantar fasciitis and calcaneal spurs is that plantar fasciitis results from inflammation of the plantar fascia and calcaneal spurs is a bony protrusion caused by chronic plantar fascia inflammation.
When both conditions occur together, they can significantly worsen pain unless the patient receives proper treatment. At kdms Hospital, we have experienced foot and ankle surgeons who care for the patients from the start to the day they return to their normal lives.

Those who experience pain at the foot sole and behind the heel may be unsure whether it is caused by plantar fasciitis or heel spurs as it is the common spot for calcaneal spurs. Therefore, this article clarifies the differences between the two, covers available medical treatments, and answers common questions — including whether a full recovery is possible.

Table of Contents

Key Differences Between Calcaneal Spurs and Plantar Fasciitis

Comparison	Plantar Fasciitis	Calcaneal Spurs (Heel Spur)
Cause	Inflammation of the plantar fascia — the fibrous band connecting the heel bone to the toes.	Calcium deposits that harden into a bone spur on the heel bone.
Risk Factors	Heavy usage, tendon tightness, repetitive impact, excess body weight, inappropriate footwear — leading to small tears in the fascia.	Prolonged plantar fascia inflammation that prompts the body to build up calcium as a structural support.
Pain Characteristics	Sharp, electric-shock-like pain in the first steps after waking or after prolonged rest.	Deep, dull pain — like a thorn pressing into the heel; some people experience no pain at all.
X-ray Results	No visible bony abnormality. (soft tissue swelling may show on MRI results)	A clearly visible bone spur projecting from the heel bone.

Who Is at Risk for Calcaneal Spurs?

1. People who regularly stand or walk for long periods

Professionals such as teachers, nurses, retail workers, and hairdressers have a high risk for calcaneal spurs because their body weight continuously presses on the heel throughout the day from a long standing period with little opportunity for rest.

2. People who are overweight

Higher body weight translates directly into greater pressure on the heel and plantar fascia with every step.

3. People who perform high-impact exercises

People who perform high-impact exercises like runners, aerobics enthusiasts, and athletes of sports requiring regular jumping tend to make heavy impact forces to the plantar fascia, potentially leading to the tear.

4. People who wear unsupportive footwear

People who regularly wear thin-soled shoes, high heels, or any footwear lacking arch support have higher risk of both plantar fasciitis and calcaneal spurs.

5. People with flat feet or high arches

Abnormal foot structure — whether flat feet or excessively high arches — disrupts the natural distribution of body weight, placing heavier stress on the fascia’s attachment point at the heel.

If you fall into any of these categories, pay attention to heel pain — especially that sharp pain during the first steps of the morning or after a long foot rest. This is often an early warning sign of plantar fasciitis alongside calcaneal spurs. When addressed promptly at the early stages, we can prevent the condition from becoming chronic pain.

Managing Calcaneal Spurs at Home

Managing calcaneal spurs at home focuses on reducing plantar fascia inflammation and relieving pressure on the heel. The following actions can help:

1. Switch to supportive footwear

What you should do: Choose shoes with adequate heel cushioning to reduce direct impact to heel spurs and with arch support to distribute body weight more evenly across the foot.
What you should avoid: Wear thin-soled sandals or walk barefoot on hard floors — all of which stretch and aggravate the plantar fascia.

2. Apply cold compress when pain flares

A sign of sharp heel pain indicates acute inflammation. Cold compress is the best way that helps relieve swelling and pain

Apply an ice pack wrapped in a cloth to the painful area of the heel. Alternatively, roll a frozen water bottle under the foot for 15–20 minutes — this doubles the benefits as it helps massage the plantar fascia while delivering cold therapy.

3. Stretch before your first step of the day

Stretching before getting out of bed is one of the most effective ways to reduce that painful first-step sensation. Recommended exercises include:

Plantar fascia stretch: Sit with your affected leg extended. Grip your big toe and gently pull it back toward you until you feel tension along the sole. Use your fingers to apply gentle pressure along the length of the fascia. Hold each point for 3–5 seconds. Perform this throughout the foot sole for a minute per time, and repeat 10 times.
Towel stretch: Sit with your leg straight. Loop a towel around the ball of your foot and pull it toward you until you feel a stretch through the calf.

If managing plantar fasciitis alongside calcaneal spurs at home by yourself does not lead to improvement within 2–4 weeks — or if pain worsens, walking becomes difficult, or symptoms persist for several months — it is time to see a medical specialist for a proper assessment and targeted treatment.

Medical Treatment for Calcaneal Spurs

The appropriate treatment approach for heel spurs depends on the severity of symptoms, how long they have persisted, and the degree of impact on daily life. This is a common treatment process of calcaneal spurs:

Non-surgical treatments for calcaneal spurs

Pain relievers and anti-inflammatory medications

The medications are prescribed at the doctor’s discretion to reduce acute pain and inflammation of the tissues around the heel.

Physical therapy

Therapeutic ultrasound or laser therapy combined with a structured stretching program for the calf muscles and plantar fascia reduce tension and irritation over time.

Orthotics (heel pads or arch supports)

These help redistribute pressure, absorb impact, and improve walking stability.

Targeted injections

In cases with severe pain, the doctor may consider injections to rapidly reduce inflammation. However, they are prescribed under individual’s appropriateness assessment and limited frequency as injections can harm the plantar fascia.

Treating Both Plantar Fasciitis and Calcaneal Spurs Together

There are 2 main approaches for treating plantar fasciitis alongside calcaneal spurs:

1. Non-surgical treatments

Steroidal injections

Steroidal injections are performed to rapidly reduce inflammation. (They are generally limited to 2–3 injections, as more frequent use can weaken and potentially rupture the plantar fascia.)

Physical therapy

- Therapeutic ultrasound
  This uses high-frequency sound wave to reduce inflammation and relieve the adhesion
- Laser therapy
  This accelerates tissue repair process and immediately reduces pain
- Shockwave therapy
  High-energy sound waves are directed at the inflamed fascia and spur site. This controlled stimulation causes small injuries to the body to promote natural healing response, encouraging new blood vessel formation and breaking down calcium deposits.

2. Minimally invasive surgery

If non-surgical treatments have not been successful, minimally invasive surgery may be recommended. Through a small incision at the surgical site, a camera-guided instrument is inserted and used to release the tight portion of the plantar fascia and, if necessary, remove the calcaneal spurs. Compared to open surgery, this approach results in a smaller wound, significantly less postoperative pain, and a faster recovery.

The Perks of Treating Both Plantar Fasciitis and Calcaneal Spurs Together at kdms Hospital

Treating both plantar fasciitis and calcaneal spurs together at kdms Hospital, patients receive care and guidance from specialist foot and ankle surgeons. Every step — from diagnosis and personalized treatment planning to post-treatment monitoring — is designed to help each patient return to the life they used to enjoy.

In Summary

Heel pain — particularly the sharp morning pain during the first steps of the day — is not something to look over. It can be an early sign of plantar fasciitis progressing toward calcaneal spurs. When both conditions develop together, chronic pain can worsen unless they receive appropriate care. To manage this double trouble, you need discipline to change your behaviors and regularly stretch the muscles.

If the chronic pain still persists despite these initial self-care practices, it is recommended to meet specialist doctors for diagnosis and targeted treatment planning. Treatment options include non-surgical approaches, such as injections and physical therapy, and minimally invasive surgery which results in a smaller wound, less postoperative pain, and a faster recovery. At kdms Hospital, our experienced foot and ankle surgeons are ready to care for you until a full recovery, so you can walk happily and comfortably in every step again.

Frequently Asked Questions about Calcaneal Spurs

Yes. Once the bony spur is surgically removed, the body effectively resets — and the procedure is combined with plantar fascia release to reduce tension and lower the risk of recurrence.

That said, if the risk factors are still not managed, calcium deposits can begin to reform over time, which is why long-term self-care remains important after treatment.

Patients are advised to avoid putting weight on the foot during the first week to allow for initial healing from post-surgical swelling. By the second week, partial weight-bearing becomes possible — the incision is only about 5 mm, so the risk of wound complications is very low. Sutures are removed at week two after surgery, and by the third week, patients can typically walk in regular athletic shoes with full weight-bearing.

Without treatment, the bony spur will continue to grow — eventually becoming large enough to be felt from the outside of the heel. As the spur enlarges, treatment options become progressively more limited: what could have been managed non-surgically may require an operation, and what could have been treated with minimally invasive surgery may eventually need open surgery. Early treatment always yields better outcomes, so it is advisable not to wait.

An article by Sittha Chuekitkumchorn, M.D., Experienced Foot and Ankle Surgeon

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