Heel pain is a common condition among adults, a consequence that can arise from a variety of disorders, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians. Heel spurs are typically painless and are often discovered by accident when an X-ray is taken for other issues. More commonly, heel pain results from other conditions that accompany heel spurs.
Injury
For every mile walked, 60 tons of stress is placed on a person’s feet, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. When pain results from excessive activity, rest is important. Individuals who ignore the body’s warning signs often end up with chronic conditions like heel spurs.
Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of heel pain in adults, according to a July 15, 2004, article by Dr. Tracy Aldridge in "American Family Physician," the peer reviewed journal of the American Academy of Family Physicians. The condition generally results from constant wear of the fascia--the connective tissue of the foot. Symptoms include increased pain in the morning and upon standing after sitting for long periods. When plantar fasciitis continues without treatment, a heel spur forms where the fascia tissue band connects to the heel bone. Roughly half of people with plantar fasciitis develop bone spurs, according to MayoClinic.com.
Osteoparthritis
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that occurs when cartilage in the joints deteriorates. Any joint can be affected, though damage most often occurs in the hands, hips knees and lower back, according to the MayoClinic.com. As the body attempts to repair the damage caused to these joints, it creates new areas of bone along the heels, which helps to distribute a person’s weight and may actually be beneficial rather than painful.
Aging
Sometimes heel spurs are a natural result of aging. Older people who do not have other chronic conditions, such as osteoarthritis, may simply develop them, according to the MayoClinic.com.
