Haglunds Deformity

Haglund’s deformity is a bony bump that appears on the back of the heel. Sometimes ridgelike in appearance, this bump forms where the achilles tendon attaches to the heel.
This condition commonly affects young women and is sometimes referred to as “pump bump” because wearing rigid-backed pump-style shoes can irritate the deformity.

Causes

Haglund’s deformity appears over time and is usually caused by wearing shoes that put pressure on the back of the heel. This pressure causes a bump to form that impacts the surrounding soft tissue, tendonitis, and the development of a fluid-filled sac (bursitis). Features such as the shape of the foot usually lead to the development of Haglund’s deformity.

Symptoms

Pain and the development of a callus on the back heel are the most common symptoms of Haglund’s deformity. When bursitis develops, a large swollen bump will form at the back of the heel.

Diagnosis

Physicians usually diagnose Haglund’s deformity by looking at the heel and assessing symptoms with the patient. X-rays or MRIs may also be used to provide further information to evaluate the severity of the condition.

Treatment

In most cases, Haglund’s deformity can be treated by choosing shoes with soft backs or no backs, using heel pads or orthotic devices, ice, anti-inflammatory medications, and physical therapy. If conservative methods are not effective, surgery may be necessary to remove part of the heel bone that protrudes.