Learning About Haglund's Deformity

Haglund's deformity is a bony bump that forms on the back of the heel bone. The heel bone is also called the calcaneus (say "kal-KAY-nee-us"). The bump grows in the area where the Achilles tendon attaches to the bone. The Achilles is the large tendon that connects your calf muscles to your heel.

Over time, the bump can press against the soft tissue nearby. This causes pain and swelling at the back of the heel. The condition can affect people of all ages and activity levels.

The exact cause is not fully understood. Certain aspects of your foot or the way it moves may raise your risk. High arches or a tight Achilles tendon can change how the heel bone sits and moves. This puts more pressure on that area. Walking in a way that shifts weight to the outside of the foot may also play a role.

Wearing shoes with stiff, rigid backs over a long period can bring on symptoms or make an existing bump more uncomfortable. For many people, the condition develops slowly over time rather than from a single injury.

The main sign is a bump on the back of the heel. Other symptoms may include:

• Pain at the back of the heel, especially when wearing closed-back shoes.
• Blisters caused by your shoe rubbing against the bump.
• Swelling near the area where the Achilles tendon meets the heel.
• Redness or skin irritation over the bump.

Symptoms can range from mild to more painful, depending on the size of the bump and the type of footwear you wear. Some people find that symptoms ease when they wear shoes with soft or open backs.

A doctor will look at your heel and ask about your symptoms and footwear. X-rays are often taken to show the size and shape of the bony growth. In some cases, an MRI scan may be used to look at the Achilles tendon and the soft tissue around it. This may be done if there is concern about tendon damage or injury.

Many people are able to manage Haglund's deformity without surgery. Options that doctors often recommend include:

• Resting the foot and applying ice to ease pain and swelling.
• Using heel pads or shoe inserts to reduce pressure on the bump.
• Switching to shoes with soft or open backs.
• Physical therapy to stretch and strengthen the Achilles tendon.
• Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin). This helps with inflammation and discomfort.

Sometimes a doctor may give a shot of medicine to help with pain and swelling near the heel if shoe changes, rest, and therapy do not help enough.

If symptoms don't improve after several months of treatment, surgery may be considered. Surgery involves removing part of the bony bump. Recovery time varies depending on the type of surgery and your overall health.