Do awkward shoes cause heel spurs?

While uncomfortable footwear can worsen symptoms caused by heel spurs, they are not a known direct cause of heel spurs (plantar fasciitis). Heel spurs are bony overgrowths that form on the heel bone in response to long-term inflammation of the plantar fascia, a thick band of tissue that supports the arch of the foot. Various factors, such as age, obesity, occupations involving prolonged standing, or participating in sports that put excessive stress on the feet can contribute to heel spur development.