If you experience heel pain and have a painful bump on the heel of your foot, Haglund’s deformity may be the cause. This problem is caused by ill-fitting shoes, abnormal foot structure, heel walking, or problems with the Achilles tendon, and can lead to bursitis (inflammation of the bursa) and severe heel pain. Our podiatrist in Woodbridge explains more below.
What Is Haglund’s Deformity?
Haglund’s deformity is an abnormal enlargement of the bone in the heel. This bony part of the heel contains the Achilles tendon and the enlargement causes irritation of the surrounding soft tissues and tendons. The deformity is caused by frequent or constant pressure on the back of the heels from shoes that are too tight and/or too stiff. Many people who wear pump-style shoes develop the deformity.
What Are The Symptoms?
Symptoms of Haglund’s deformity can be painful, such as:
- Pain where the Achilles tendon attaches to the heel
- Redness and swelling
- Bony bump on the back of your heel
- Bursitis
You may be more at risk for Haglund’s deformity if you have high arches, walk on the outer part of your heels, or have existing problems with your Achilles tendon.
How Is It Treated?
Our podiatrist will evaluate and diagnose this condition using x-rays and an examination of the heel bone. Treatments for Haglund’s deformity include taking pressure of the heels of the feet as well as the following:
- Custom orthotics
- Heel pads to protect your heels
- Ultrasound treatment
- NSAIDs for pain relief, such as ibuprofen
- Wearing open-heel shoes
If the above treatment options don’t work, our podiatrist may recommend surgery to remove the excess bone from the heel. It can take around 8 weeks to recover from the surgery.
Contact Our Podiatrist in Woodbridge Today To Find Out More!
The information provided in this article is not meant to be medical advice and is for educational purposes only. If you would like to learn more about this and other podiatry-related topics, feel free to contact The Podiatry Center by clicking here or by calling 301-232-3764.
