Haglunds Deformity and Pump Bump

Our office treats various conditions with names that can be somewhat misleading. Athletes are not the only people who develop athlete’s foot. Tailor’s bunions do not happen only to tailors. In the same vein, pump bump is not a condition exclusive to women who regularly wear pump-style shoes. The technical term is Haglund’s deformity and it can happen to men as well. The good news is that we offer treatment for this ailment.

A Painful Bump

Anytime your body has the ability to protect itself from painful conditions or threats, it will. One of the natural processes it uses is to create excess bone tissue as a way to relieve pressure that can happen in the back of your foot. This defensive maneuver can result in a bony protrusion, which is Haglund’s deformity. Located in the back of your heel, this bump can cause your soft tissue near the Achilles tendon to become irritated when it rubs against the inside back of your shoe. Often, this will lead to bursitis, which is an inflammation of a bursa (a fluid-filled sac), between your bone and Achilles tendon.

Causes of Haglund’s Deformity

Since the condition is referred to as “pump bump,” it only makes sense that one of the causes of the condition is frequently wearing pump-style shoes. This particular footwear style often has a hard, rigid back to keep the shoe from sliding off, and that unyielding back leads to your body wanting to protect itself from the consequent irritation. Thus, Haglund’s deformity is most commonly found in female patients who normally wear these shoe models.

Stylish stilettos are not the only cause of this foot deformity, however. Your respective foot shape or gait might also be at fault. Individuals with tight Achilles tendons or high arches are at higher risk for this condition than those with normal tendons and arches. Your gait is the biomechanical process you follow when you walk, and if this includes a tendency to walk on the outside edges of your feet, you are more likely to develop Haglund’s deformity.

Symptoms of the Pump Bump

The obvious symptom of Haglund’s deformity is the prominent bony bump that has developed on the back of your heel. There are other symptoms, though, including blisters and heel pain. Blisters often form due to the friction between your shoes and the protrusion from your heel. You may also find that there is redness and swelling around the inflamed tissue in the area. If you are experiencing these symptoms, call our office and set up an appointment for an official diagnosis and treatment plan.

Home and Professional Treatment Options

When it comes to managing the pain and pressure that accompanies this condition, there are home remedies that you can use prior to your appointment with Capital District Podiatry. These include:

• Relieve the pressure that your shoe applies to the bump by padding the back of your heel. This can reduce irritation experienced by the deformity when you walk.
• Do not wear shoes that aggravate or worsen the condition, like high heels. Try wearing sensible styles that offer soft backs for comfort.
• Reduce the amount of pressure on the back of your heel by taking off your shoes whenever possible. Also, icing your heel can reduce levels of inflammation and pain.
• Consult with our office first, but you can find pain relief from over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medicine.

If home treatment options are not proving to be effective, or your pain is simply too severe, we will create an effective treatment plan for you. Such treatment may entail:

• Immobilizing the affected area with a walking boot or soft cast
• Customized orthotic supports
• Topical anti-inflammatory medication
• In severe cases, surgery may be recommended

Capital District Podiatry is here for all of your podiatric needs, including Haglund’s deformity. Do not suffer with foot or ankle pain and just hope that it gets better! Contact our Troy, NY and Clifton Park offices by calling (518) 273-0053 and begin your road to pain-free feet today.