Don’t Let Pump Bump Slow You Down

29470486_L_Heel Pain_Feet_Hands_Leg.png

Haglund’s deformity—the official name of the condition, also known as pump bump, is an incredibly painful disorder that occurs when the bony enlargement at the back of your heel becomes inflamed and irritated. At Goldsmith Podiatry, we want to help patients get relief from Haglund’s deformity and prevent subsequent flare-ups.

Behind the Bump

The symptoms of Haglund’s deformity are:

  • A bump at the back of the heel that is large enough to be noticeable

  • Redness around the inflamed area

  • Pain near where the Achilles tendon attaches to the heel

  • Swelling in the affected area

Any shoes with rigid backs (such as pumps, men’s dress shoes, ice skates, hiking boots) will aggravate the enlargement by rubbing on it as you walk. While shoes may be the outward cause of the irritation, there are certain types of foot structures that can make a patient more prone to Haglund’s deformity. These include a tight Achilles tendon, tendency to walk on the outside of your heel and a high-arched foot. These biomechanical defects can be inherited, and that’s why as part of your exam, our podiatrists, Dr. Howard Goldsmith or Dr. Rosanna Troia will also get a complete medical history. In addition, the foot doctor will likely order x-rays to get a better understanding of the bone structure of your heel.

Getting Relief

Treatment options will be aimed at relieving pain and reducing inflammation and then preventing a recurrence of the disorder. The foot doctor has several options to choose from, including:

  • Icing the bump

  • Oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen

  • Heel lifts to decrease the pressure from high arches

  • Special exercises to stretch and relieve tightness in the Achilles tendon

  • Heel pads that go inside your shoe and protect the sore area

  • Physical therapy

  • Orthotic device in the form of custom arch supports

In extreme cases, casting may be necessary to immobilize the heel. Surgery may be advised if none of these noninvasive measures provide an adequate amount of pain relief.

It’s important to see treatment early if you are experiencing pain at the back of your heel. Contact our Upper West Side office for an appointment by calling: (212) 877-1002.

Blog, foot doctor, Foot PainGoldsmith PodiatryHaglund’s deformity, foot surgery, foot irritation