If a heel spur is preventing you from living life as usual, turn to the board-certified physicians at Tampa Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine Group – a division of Florida Medical Clinic. As the oldest orthopedic practice in the Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Clearwater, Florida, area, our clinic has helped thousands overcome painful and debilitating musculoskeletal conditions.
A heel spur is a calcium deposit that causes a boney projection to develop from the heel bone, and may occur as a result of repetitive foot muscle strains. It is also often a byproduct of plantar fasciitis, an inflammation of the band of tissue that connects the heel bone to the bottom of the foot.
Anyone can develop a heel spur, but individuals with one or more risk factors are at a greater risk. Common heel spur risk factors include:
- Participating in sports, particularly those that involve heavy amounts of running
- Wearing ill-fitting shoes
- Gait (walking) abnormalities that place additional strain on the heel
- Having flat feet or high arches
- Standing for extended periods of time
- Carrying excess weight
Not every heel spur causes pain. Many people with bone spurs aren’t aware they have them. That said, it’s important to consult with an orthopedic specialist if you experience stabbing or aching pain around the heel that does not respond to at-home treatment.
Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Daniel Murphy and sports medicine specialist Dr. Arnold Ramirez are proud to provide individualized treatments for a full spectrum of musculoskeletal conditions, including heel spurs and other sources of foot pain. In fact, our physicians are trusted to care for our area’s finest athletes; Dr. Murphy is a team physician for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New York Yankees, and Dr. Ramirez is the Head Team Physician for the Buccaneers.
Contact Tampa Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine Group today to schedule an appointment with one of our physicians, who will be glad to explain our approach to heel spur treatment. We are proud to serve patients of all ages throughout the Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Clearwater, FL, area.
