What is that Bump on My Heel?

Our feet literally take us places all day long, and foot pain is a fairly common issue. For some people, the pain is located more in the heel. That heel pain can also lead to the discovery of a bump on the back of the heel.  This could be a condition known as a Haglund’s deformity.

What is a Haglund’s Deformity?

A Haglund’s deformity is a bump located at the back of the heel. This is the location where the Achilles tendon attaches to the bone of the heel. The deformity is an enlargement of the bony prominence. Other common names for this issue include “pump bump” because of the frequency of this condition in women who wear pump-style shoes. The occurrence of this condition is more common in those age 15-30¹.

What are the causes?

Haglund’s deformity occurs with frequent pressure on the back of the heel, possibly by wearing shoes that are too tight or too stiff. There is also an increased risk of developing this condition if there is extra tightness in the Achilles tendon, or a very high arch in the foot.

Symptoms:

• A bony bump on back of the heel
• Pain in the area where your Achilles tendon attaches to the heel
• Swelling in the back of the heel
• Redness near the back of the heel
• Pain with pressure or tight fitting shoes

What is the treatment?

Treatment is focused on relieving pain and decreasing irritation of the heel not necessarily getting rid of the bump. Treatments for the symptoms of Haglund’s deformity include:

• Wearing open back shoes
• Icing the bump to reduce swelling
• Wearing shoe orthotics
• Wearing heel pads to reduce pressure from shoes
• Soft tissue massage
• Stretching of the calf muscles and Achilles tendon

It is also important to note that surgery can be an option for removal of the bony prominence on the heel if it continues to be problematic. Should you discover foot or heel pain, take the first step in developing a treatment plan by clicking the link below to schedule a free assessment at your nearest Athletico location.

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The Athletico blog is an educational resource written by Athletico employees. Athletico bloggers are licensed professionals who abide by the code of ethics outlined by their respective professional associations. The content published in blog posts represents the opinion of the individual author based on their expertise and experience. The content provided in this blog is for informational purposes only, does not constitute medical advice and should not be relied on for making personal health decisions.

References:
1. Lesic A. & Bumbasirevic M. (2004). Disorders of the Achilles tendon. Current Orthopaedics. 18: 63 – 75.
2. Mayerson M.S & Mandelbaum B. (2000). Disorders of the Achilles tendon and the retrocalcaneal region. Foot and ankle disorders. 1367 – 1398
3. Stephens M.M. (1994). Haglund’s deformity and retrocalcaneal bursitis. Orthop Clin North Am. 25: 41 – 46