What is the Difference Between Heel Spur and Bone Spur

The key difference between heel spur and bone spur is that heel spur is a condition resulting from a calcium deposit on the calcaneus or heel bone, whereas bone spur arises from the formation of bony growths either in the joints or along the spine.

Heel spur and bone spur both occur due to tissue outgrowth. Heel spur and bone spur are also related conditions. This is because when bone spurs or outgrowth form in the heels, they are known as heel spurs. Both these conditions can cause pain and swelling. However, these conditions have different etiologies.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Heel Spur  
3. What is Bone Spur
4. Similarities – Heel Spur and Bone Spur
5. Heel Spur vs. Bone Spur in Tabular Form
6. FAQ – Heel Spur and Bone Spur
7. Summary – Heel Spur vs. Bone Spur

What is Heel Spur?

A heel spur occurs when calcium deposits are formed on the underside of the heel bone. This condition is often caused by strains on foot muscles and ligaments, stretching of the plantar fascia, and repeated tearing of the membrane that covers the heel bone. The risk factors for heel spur are walking, gait abnormalities, running or jogging on hard surfaces, poorly fitted shoes, and excess weight. Moreover, the symptoms of this condition may include pain, inflammation, and swelling at the front of the heel.

Heel spur can be diagnosed through physical examination and X-ray. Furthermore, treatment options for heel spur may include cold compresses, injection anti-inflammatory medications, over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen, aspirin, or ibuprofen, resting, physical therapy, stretching exercises, orthotic shoe inserts, and surgery.

What is Bone Spur?

Bone spurs or osteophytes are bony growths that form in the joints or in the spine. They form where two bones meet in a joint and can affect areas in the body such as the knee, spine, hip, shoulder, fingers, heel, or foot. A bone spur is caused by degenerative diseases or health issues such as osteoarthritis or tendonitis. The risk factors for this condition are older age and genetics. Moreover, the symptoms of bone spur may include swelling, pain, numbness, tenderness, and weakness.

Bone spurs can be diagnosed through health or family history, physical examination, and X-ray. Furthermore, treatment options for bone spur are steroid shots to help reduce joint swelling and pain, NSAIDs to reduce swelling, relieve pain, and relax muscles, physical therapy and manipulation, and resting.

What are the Similarities Between Heel Spur and Bone Spur?

• Heel spur and bone spur are due to tissue outgrowth.
• They are related conditions.
• Both conditions can cause pain and result in swelling.
• They can be diagnosed through physical examination and X-ray.
• They can be treated through specific medications, resting, and physical therapy.

What is the Difference Between Heel Spur and Bone Spur?

A heel spur is a condition due to a calcium deposit on the calcaneus or heel bone, while a bone spur is due to the formation of bony growths in the joints or in the spine. This is the key difference between heel spur and bone spur. Furthermore, heel spur is caused by strains on foot muscles and ligaments, stretching of the plantar fascia, and due to repeated tearing of the membrane that covers the heel bone. On the other hand, bone spur is caused by degenerative diseases or health issues such as osteoarthritis or tendonitis.

The infographic below presents the differences between heel spur and bone spur in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.

FAQ: Heel Spur and Bone Spur

How do I know if it’s a heel spur?

There is an inflammation at the bottom of the heel where the spur is located. Also, you will feel pain when walking on bare feet and doing exercise without shoes, feeling a small, bony bump on the bottom or back of your heel, numbness, burning, and tingling when nerves are compressed.

What happens if you don’t treat a heel spur?

An untreated heel spur causes acute pain and discomfort. It can also create inflammation. Moreover, nerves can be affected and cause neuropathy.

What vitamin is good for bone spurs?

Vitamins and minerals are important for bone health. Vitamin D and magnesium ensure calcium absorption. Calcium is also one of the most important components of bone spurs.

Summary – Heel Spur vs. Bone Spur

Bone spurs or osteophytes cause damage to the bones, muscles, or tendons. Bone spurs are common as people age.  Bone spurs can affect the knee, spine, hip, shoulder, fingers, heel, or foot. Heel spurs occur when a bony outgrowth forms on the heel bone. So, this is the key difference between heel spur and bone spur.

Reference:

1. “Bone Spurs.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.
2. “Heel Spurs: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment.” Cleveland Clinic.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Bonespur” By James Heilman, MD – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Heel spur” By InjuryMap – InjuryMap – Free Human Anatomy Images and Pictures. (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia