Haglund’s deformity, often called pump bump, is a painful bony prominence and bursitis located on the lateral posterior superior aspect of the calcaneus bone above the Achilles tendon insertion. This condition also leads to a retrocalcaneal bursitis in which a painful bursa develops in between the Achilles and superior posterior calcaneus. With a bony prominence, there is a constant and chronic irritation of the pump bump and the back of shoes. Your doctor or podiatrist will order radiographs with lateral views of the foot to confirm a positive diagnosis of a Halgund’s deformity.
The following are conservative treatments that may be considered by your doctor or podiatrist for a painful Haglund’s deformity:
- Shoe modifications – open back shoes or open heels
- Orthotics and heel lifts
- Rocker sole shoes
- NSAIDS
- Steroid injection
- Aspiration of the bursa
- Topical anti-inflammatory and capsaicin cream
If the pain does not resolve with conservative treatments, there are various surgical procedural options that your podiatrist may suggest to you. Furthermore, operative treatments are very common in resolving a painful Haglund’s deformity. Some examples include extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ECSWT), Achilles lengthening, removal of the inflamed bursa, and/or resection of the bony prominence. In general, after surgery, you will need to be in a below-the-knee cast and be non-weight bearing for about 3 to 4 weeks. When you are tired of experiencing chronic pain in the back of the heel, call your podiatrist as soon as possible for the best treatment option of a Halgund’s deformity.
Please visit our website for more information or call 614-885-3338 (FEET) to schedule an appointment with us at our Columbus or Gahanna office
