How do i know if i have heel spurs for sure i have extreme pain in the bottom of my heels. when i walk for a while and go to bed, in the morning sometimes i can't walk because the pain is excruciating. sometimes even when i sit down for long periods and

Heel : Heel spurs are diagnosed by x-ray. Heel spurs usually don't cause pain by themselves, however once they start to cause damage to the surrounding tissue, bones, nerves and ligaments, then pain can ensue. Plantar fasciitis is another possibility, which is an inflammation of a thick band of tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot typically causing foot pain. Please visit your doctor for a formal exam and testing as deemed necessary. In the meantime wear shoes with good arch support, ice your feet (can of frozen juice works well) also stretching is key. Best of luck.

Plantar Fasciitis: You most likely have plantar fasciitis, an inflammation of the thick ligament that attaches into the heel bone. Over time this may cause heel spurs, but heel spurs do not themselves cause pain. Use a firm arch support, a stable shoe, avoid going barefoot, ice three times per day and look up some stretching exercises for plantar fasciitis. If not better in 2 weeks, see a podiatrist.

Not due to spur: In most cases having a spur or not is not the cause of your pain. Your symptoms sound consistent with plantar fasciitis or fasciosis.

Plantar fascitis: If related to injury need exam to rule out stress fracture. Most common cause of heel pain is from plantar fasciitis, a pull/sprain of the plantar fascia from where it attaches to the heel bone on the btm of the foot. Txs include rigid arch support to decrease the pull of the fascia, combined with antiinflammatory medication (oral and/or injectable) to reduce the inflammation.

X-rays: X-rays will rule out if you have a spur or not and then treatment can be started.