Is plantar fascitis the same thing as heel spurs?

Similar : But not exactly the same. Heel spur technically refers to a protruding sharp edge of bone on the bottom or back of the heel. Plantar fasciitis is a soreness or strain in the arch( plantar fascia). However these are usually different manefestations of the same basic cause: poor biomechanical support.

Technically : No a spur is a bony prominence, plantar fascia is a broad banded ligament, but the symptoms are essentially the same.

Yes and no: Having a heel spur one may have no pain. A heelspur with plantar fasciatis is painful. The conditions very often occur together.