Are you concerned about an abnormal bony structure on the back of your heels? Is it painful, annoying and affecting your daily activities? If yes, this blog might be for you.
A bony enlargement on the back of the heel could be known of Haglund’s syndrome or retrocalcaneal bursitis. This abnormal structure can aggravate the bursa, which is a fluid-filled sac located at the back of the heel, in between Achilles tendon and the calcaneus (heel bone). This bursa can become inflamed and swollen. Haglund’s deformity most commonly affects young women and could occur during your childhood.
Now, are you wondering why you may have this condition?
So, have you ever worn shoes with rigid backs, followed by an intense rubbing due to high levels of activities for a long period of time? This could be a reason why you may have Haglund’s deformity. This is because over time, this pressure can cause a bony bump to form on the calcaneus, and this bump digs into the surrounding soft tissue. This can irritate the bursa and make it swell up, and also other tissues, including the Achilles tendon, which may swell and thicken at the same time.
Also, if you have certain bony structures that are more prominent underneath the achilles tendon, tight achilles tendon, or high arches foot type, these factors will increase the susceptibility to this condition.
Your symptoms could be pain, tenderness while walking, running and/or seeing some callus build up on the back of the heel. The back of the heel will be an enlarged, swollen bump, redness and become warm to touch.
Here is a few solutions to help you with this condition:
It is aimed at reducing the inflammation of the bursa. While these approaches can resolve the pain and inflammation, they will not shrink the bony prominence.
- Ice
- Stretching exercises
- Avoiding running on hard surfaces and uphill
- Heel lifts
- Backless or soft backed shoes
- Oral and/or topical anti-inflammatory medications (ibuprofen and voltaren, etc)
- Cortisone injections into the bursa
- Shockwave and laser treatment
Surgery is considered when non-surgical treatments fail to resolve pain and inflammation.
Please do not hesitate to contact our clinic, where a variety of Podiatrists here can help you to understand your foot condition. We can also help you to get rid of the pain and tenderness so you will be able to return to your daily activities.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call our clinic at (03) 9711 7652 or book appointment online here Book Online | The Footcare Clinic
Kara Pham
Podiatrist
The Footcare Clinic
www.thefootcareclinic.com.au
