Haglund’s Deformity
A Haglund’s deformity is a bony enlargement (bump) at the back of the heel bone. This bump can be present for years without causing any pain or issues. It is often referred to as a pump bump because of the firm backs of pump-type shoes that rub against the back of the heel.
It is the rubbing of soft tissues at the back of the heel against this bony enlargement that leads to the onset of painful symptoms, as opposed to pain from the bony enlargement itself. If the soft tissue near where the Achilles tendon attaches into the heel becomes irritated, it can lead to the inflammation of a fluid-filled cushion that sits between the Achilles tendon and the heel bone called a bursa. This irritation can occur as a result of:
Treatment focuses on alleviating pressure away from the back of the heel to settle the painful symptoms. This can include:
In severe cases where the pain is an ongoing problem, surgery may be indicated.