Ray Allen Kept Out of Game By Bone Spurs

MRI scans of Boston Celtics basketball player and former UCONN star Ray Allen's right ankle showed that he has bone spurs. Allen has been out for 14 games this season.

Celtics coach Doc Rivers shared his frustration about how long it is taking for Allen's ankle to heal, "It's the same. We don't know anything. It's a concern, like I said, but other than that, we just have to wait and see."
Allen had attempted to return to the game early in April and played as the sixth man in four games. He was shooting 45.3 percent on 3-pointers before his ankle became too painful to play on. It is unknown whether Allen will be able to participate in the playoffs.
Bone spurs are a very common foot problem, especially in athletes and dancers. In the feet they develop most frequently in the heel, near the toes, and on top of the big toe joint. The spurs are small outgrowths of bone. In and of themselves, they are generally harmless. However, their location may cause friction or irritation from shoes or other foot structures, which can lead to other foot problems. The irritation is most likely the pain Allen is feeling.

Heel spurs refer specifically to those in the heel. Heel spurs are growths of bone on the underside, forepart of the heel bone and occur when the plantar fibrous band pulls at its attachment to the heel bone. This area of the heel later calcifies to form a spur. With proper warm-up and the use of appropriate athletic shoes, strain to the ligament can be reduced. It would be worth Allen to take a look at his basketball shoes and check if modifications need to be made.
Anti-inflammatory medications, cortisone injections, corrective shoes, or orthotics (special shoe inserts) are some of the common treatments for spurs. Surgery may be prescribed if spurring around the joint becomes severe or leads to recurrent pain from persistent corns.
Craig M. Kaufman, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Sports Podiatrist in CT
Podiatrist in Newington, Kensington, and Middletown, CT
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