1.    Introduction
A heel spur is a small, pointed bony protrusion that forms beneath the heel, near the attachment site of the ligaments and the plantar fascia to the heel bone (calcaneus). This condition typically arises from excessive pressure, inflammation, or repetitive stretching of the plantar fascia (1). Walking on uneven surfaces places significant stress on the sole of the foot, exacerbating the problems associated with heel spurs. Heel spurs can alter natural posture during walking and, over time, may lead to complications such as back pain and knee pain (5). These issues are frequently observed in professional athletes, individuals with obesity, and those who wear inappropriate footwear. In most cases, there is no history of trauma, and the pain is most pronounced upon rising from sleep. While the discomfort tends to diminish after taking a few steps, it intensifies with prolonged activity, particularly after completing daily tasks. Clinical examination often reveals tenderness in the anterior-medial region of the inferior heel surface (7). Intense physical activity worsens the pain associated with heel spurs and impacts kinematic parameters, including knee flexion angles during load-bearing, ankle dorsiflexion during load-bearing, and ankle plantarflexion (4). However, the effect of this condition on spatiotemporal gait parameters remains underexplored. Given that musculoskeletal disorders of the foot can impair lower limb function (8) and induce various changes in biomechanical parameters (9), analyzing the kinematic changes, particularly spatiotemporal parameters, in such disorders is essential for designing therapeutic interventions aimed at improving recovery and enhancing functionality.
2.    Methods
The study population consisted of patients with heel spurs and their healthy counterparts. A total of 30 participants were selected through convenience sampling and divided into two groups of 15 based on statistical calculations performed using G*Power software. The inclusion criteria required male participants aged 30–49 years with a diagnosis of heel spurs and a minimum pain score of 3 on the numeric-visual scale. Exclusion criteria included the presence of bone or neurological disorders, diabetes, or skeletal deformities. Spatiotemporal gait parameters were measured during walking at a sampling frequency of 100 Hz using Vicon high-speed cameras. The data were assessed for normality using the Shapiro-Wilk test, and statistical analysis was conducted using an independent t-test in SPSS software.
3.    Results
Individuals with plantar fasciitis demonstrated a higher percentage of double support, step time, stride time, and visual pain intensity, along with lower cadence and walking speed compared to the healthy control group (Table 1).

4.    Conclusion
Individuals with heel spurs exhibit lower step cadence compared to the healthy group. One primary reason for this reduction is the avoidance of pain. Patients with heel spurs often experience heel pain during walking and other activities (11). To alleviate discomfort, they tend to walk more slowly, take shorter steps, and spend less time on the affected foot. These pathomechanical adaptations naturally result in reduced step cadence as patients adopt these strategies to protect the painful area (11, 12). Individuals with heel spurs also demonstrate a higher double support time compared to the healthy group. Heel pain during weight-bearing activities, especially walking, leads patients to spend less time on the affected foot and distribute their weight more evenly between both feet. Consequently, the duration of the double support phase, when both feet are in contact with the ground, increases (12). Step time is longer in individuals with heel spurs compared to the healthy group. Patients may develop an antalgic gait, a walking pattern that minimizes pain. This pattern often involves spending less time on the affected foot, leading to asymmetry in step time and a decrease in overall walking speed (12). Stride time is also longer in individuals with heel spurs. Pain in the heel area can prompt individuals to adjust how their foot contacts the ground. Instead of landing on the heel, which may exacerbate plantar fascia strain, they modify their landing method, slowing down the gait cycle (15). Walking speed is lower in individuals with heel spurs compared to the healthy group. Due to weaker postural control during walking, these individuals reduce their walking speed to maintain balance (11). Lastly, individuals with heel spurs report higher levels of visual pain intensity compared to the healthy control group. While the heel spur itself may not always be the primary source of pain, its presence is often associated with inflammation and irritation of the surrounding soft tissues, particularly the plantar fascia. This inflammation can result in significant discomfort (17, 18).
Ethical Considerations
Compliance with ethical guidelines
There were no ethical considerations to be addressed in this research.
Funding
This research did not receive any financial support from government, private, or non-profit organizations.
Authors' contributions
All authors contributed equally to preparing the article.
Conflicts of interest
The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest associated with this article.