Haglund’s Deformity

Haglund’s deformity, posterior heel spur, pump bump, and retrocalcaneal exostoses all have the same meaning

Haglund’s deformity or “pump bump” is a bony enlargement on the back of the heel. It is caused by wearing stiff or rigid shoes that sandwich the Achilles tendon between the bony enlargement on the back of the Achilles. The soft tissue near the Achilles tendon becomes irritated when the bone rubs against the tendon in closed stiff shoes or while wearing high heels. This often leads to painful bursitis between the Achilles and calcaneus and a tear or inflammation of the Achilles.

Diagnosis

Our board-certified foot and ankle specialist can determine if you have or where your spur is present. Sometimes an MRI will be needed to evaluate the Achilles tendon and determine if there is any tearing present.

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Symptoms

Symptoms of Haglund’s deformity include:

Treatment of Haglund’s deformity

Conservative care ranges from stretching exercises, heel lifts, orthotics, anti-inflammatories, and sometimes immobilization. Most patients respond to the correct biomechanical adjustments made to their shoes.  PRP or Amniotic stem cell injection have been game-changers in having patients avoid the operating room. Unfortunately, sometimes surgery is required for this condition. When a Haglund’s deformity is present without a calcaneal heel spur then the Achilles tendon does not need to be removed from its insertion on the calcaneus and a section of bone will be removed. When a heel spur is present, the Achilles must be removed from its insertion to remove the spur. At the Foot, Ankle & Leg Vein Center, we utilize the newest techniques to reattach the tendon (Speedbridge). This allows the patient to weight bear within 2-4 weeks after surgery in a cam walker and significantly reduces recovery time from traditional methods.