My understanding is that a heel spur is a reaction to stress on the plantar fascia. Perhaps a tear occurred there, and the body is building it up. It's been several years since mine flared up and I read up on it. I remember one particular site that was very helpful, and wasn't trying to sell anything. Can't find it now.

I found this: http://www.healthscout.com/ency/68/224/main.html
"The heel bone forms one end of the two longitudinal arches of the foot. These arches are held together by ligaments and are activated by the muscles of the foot (some of which are attached beneath the arches and run from the front to the back of the foot). These muscles and ligaments, like the other supporting tissues of the body, are attached in two places. Many are attached at the heel bone. The body reacts to the stress at the heel bone by calcifying the soft tissue attachments and creating a spur."

What really helped me the most was making sure not to sleep with my toes pointed under the covers. That, and not having a job where I stood on expanded metal grating all the time in steel-toed boots.

You could have the surgery, but they can get better without it. It depends on how much time you want to devote to healing. Mine is still there, it just doesn't hurt. I pay attention to my foot wear. But I also don't run, as a rule. I don't know how a runner would get over it, if they wanted to keep running.

Karen