5 Treatments for Haglund’s Deformity

Haglund’s deformity is the name of a common bone condition that can occur in people who wear high heeled shoes, which is why it is also called the pump bump. The bony bump forms on the heel as your body’s defensive response to the extreme pressure and rubbing caused by tightly fitting shoes. The condition itself is not always painful, but the increased rubbing can cause pain and blistering in the heel area. Surgery may be needed in some cases to decrease the size of the bump.

5 conservative treatments for Haglund’s deformity include the following:

1. Wear backless shoes or sandals—Wearing backless sandals, or light cloth footwear that doesn’t rub as hard on your heel area will help decrease rubbing, pain, and blistering.
2. Orthotic inserts—Custom orthotic shoe inserts can redirect pressure away from the heel area.
3. Cold therapy to decrease swelling—Pain and swelling can be reduced by applying an ice pack to the area for ten to fifteen-minute intervals, twice an hour.
4. Immobilization of the foot—In more severe cases or after a surgical debridement procedure, a rigid boot will have to be worn for a several weeks to keep the foot from moving and prevent rubbing and irritation.
5. Physical therapy exercises—A variety of stretching and strengthening exercises will help increase the strength and flexibility of the Achilles tendon and calf muscle, which can help decrease the severity of the condition.

In the more severe cases, your foot doctor can decrease the size of the protrusion using a debriding tool to shave down the bump. The foot experts at Desert Podiatric Medical Specialists, in the Tucson, Oro Valley, and Green Valley areas of Pima County Arizona, have unparalleled experience in treating all aspects of foot and ankle care. Our team of doctors, including Christopher M. Funk, D.P.M., FACFAS, Bradley A. Whitaker, D.P.M., FACFAS, and Peter C. Merrill, D.P.M., AACFAS, is dedicated to serving you with state-of-the-art, cutting edge medical technologies including the PinPointe FootLaser, custom-fitted orthotics, and Radial Pulse Therapy (RPT) for chronic foot, heel, or ankle pain. If you have any questions or would like to make an appointment, please call (520) 575-0800.