If You Have Heel Pain, Haglund’s Deformity May Be the Cause

People who have poorly treated high arches and those with Achilles tendon issues are generally more susceptible to developing a Haglund’s deformity, but it can occur in anyone. The condition is created by the constant rubbing from the pressure of tightly fitting shoes or other irritations. It can contribute to blistering and bursitis so seek out the help of your foot doctor to avoid any further complications.

Steps you can take to treat Haglund’s deformity include the following:

●     Icing and pain relief—Ice packs placed on the heel for fifteen minutes at a time will reduce swelling and discomfort.

●     Proper footwear—Wearing sandals or backless shoes that don’t rub on the heel will help remove the source of the friction and eliminate the pain.

●     Custom orthotic shoe inserts—these redirect the stress and pressure and relieve pain and discomfort so healing can occur.

●     Physical therapy—Calf stretching exercises can help alleviate tightness in the calf muscles and the Achilles tendon.

●     Surgery—The bony protrusion can be surgically reduced so that it no longer rubs on your footwear.

●     Foot protection—It may be advisable to wear an immobilizing walking boot in severe cases, and especially after undergoing surgery, for proper healing to occur.

If you are experiencing heel pain, schedule an appointment with your foot specialist for the correct diagnosis and best treatment. At Fit Feet for Life, our team of board-certified podiatrists has access to advanced technologies and years of experience to help diagnose and treat a variety of foot and ankle problems, including heel pain, sports injuries, toe deformities, nail fungus, and plantar warts.  Bonnie Sanchez, DPM, Gregory Cook, DPM, and Huy L. Nguyen, DPM provide high-quality foot and ankle care to patients in the Tampa/St. Petersburg area at our five offices conveniently located in Sun City Center, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, and our two Tampa locations. Please contact us for more information or to schedule an appointment.