• Red area at the back of heel
• A noticeable bump on the back of heel.
• Pain in the area where the Achilles tendon attaches to the heel.
• Swelling in the back of the heel.

Treatment of Haglund’s deformity can be divided into nonsurgical treatment and surgical treatment. In the vast majority of cases, treatment usually begins with nonsurgical measures. In mild cases, this inflammation and projection of bone at the back of the heel can be relieved with ice, compression, change of shoe gear, Achilles Heel pads, heel grip pads and tortoise. Non-surgical treatment of Haglund’s deformity is aimed at reducing the inflammation of the bursa. In many cases where the bone is enlarged surgical excision is required. The foot and ankle surgeon will determine the procedure that is best suited to your case. Cortisone injections can also help relieve the pain. Many surgeons simply remove the bump. This procedure is done through a small incision on the back of the heel. Another way to accomplish the same thing is to take out a wedge of bone from the calcaneus, shortening it. This is referred to by surgeons as a wedge osteotomy.

The patient may require crutches for a few days after surgery. A physical therapist or nurse may teach you how to properly use your crutches. A recurrence of Haglund’s deformity may be prevented by performing stretching exercises to prevent the Achilles tendon from tightening, wearing appropriate shoes; avoid pumps and high-heeled shoes and voiding running on hard surfaces and running uphill.

Haglund’s deformity is usually caused by bursitis or pressure against the shoe. It can be aggravated by the height or stitching of a heel counter of a particular shoe. To some extent, heredity plays a role in Haglund’s deformity. People can inherit a type of foot structure that makes them prone to developing this condition. The calcaneus is shaped differently in different people. People who have a bump underneath the attachment of the Achilles tendon are more likely to develop Haglund’s deformity. This prominent bump squeezes the soft tissues between the bone and the back of the shoe. Over time, this irritates the soft tissues and causes inflammation. This can cause swelling and thickening of the tissues, which makes the pressure even worse.

Haglund’s deformity can occur in one or both feet. The primary symptom of this deformity is pain at the back of the heel. The bursa on the back of the heel can become swollen and inflamed as well, causing bursitis .The bumps do not usually cause any problems with function, such as walking, except for the pain that occurs when the area is inflamed.