Heel spurs are bony growths from the underside of the front part of the heel bone, the calcaneus .
They are believed to be formed by stretching and tearing of the fibrous band supporting the arch of the foot, the plantar fascia , and tearing away of the lining of the heel bone where the fibrous band connects. New bone can grow in the areas where the bone s lining has been torn away. These growths of new bone are called heel spurs and are visible by x-ray. In most cases, it is not the spur that causes heel pain. Heel pain can be present with or without evidence of a heel spur on x-ray of the foot.