Are You Suffering from Pump Bump?

Do you have a bony lump on the back of your heel? Is this lump painful, especially when you wear stiff, closed-heel shoes? You likely have a condition called Haglund’s deformity – otherwise known as pump bump.

What is Haglund’s deformity? 

Pump bump is a bony enlargement on the upper portion of the back of your heel bone. The soft tissue of the Achilles tendon, skin and other soft tissues can become irritated when the bony bump rubs against the inside of rigid shoes. This constant rubbing can lead to bursitis, an inflammation of the fluid-filled sac between the Achilles tendon and the bone. Inflammation in the heel can cause calcium to build up in the heel bone, making the bump larger and more painful. Pump bump can develop in one or both feet.

What causes pump bump? 

Anyone can develop Haglund’s deformity, but it’s most common in people who wear stiff, closed-back shoes like women’s pumps, men’s dress shoes or ice skates.

Other factors that can contribute to developing pump bump include:

• The inherited shape of your heel bone.
• Having high arches. A high arch causes your heel bone to tilt backward into the Achilles tendon where your tendon and bone meet. This causes the upper portion of the back of your heel bone to rub against the tendon.
• Having a tight Achilles tendon that compresses the inflamed bursa or fluid-filled sac.
• Having a tendency to walk on the outside of your heel, which causes the heel bone to grind against the tendon.

What are the symptoms of pump bump? 

The symptoms include:

• A noticeable bony bump on the back of your heel.
• Severe pain in the area where your Achilles tendon attaches to your heel.
• Pain and swelling in the bursa.
• Redness and tenderness in the back of your heel.

What is the treatment for Haglund’s deformity? 

If you’re experiencing symptoms of Haglund’s deformity, see your doctor for a proper diagnosis. Your doctor will examine your feet and may want you to have X-rays done.

Some treatments for bump pump include:

• Icing the bump for 20 minutes a day to reduce swelling.
• Wearing flexible or open-back shoes.
• Placing heel pads in the backs of your shoes to redistribute some of the pressure and relief pain.
• Taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for the pain. Or, you may want to apply topical anti-inflammatory medication directly to your heel.
• Wearing custom orthotics, like ezWalker® Custom Fit Orthotics. These custom orthotics help support your arches while stabilizing and controlling the motion of your foot. If you tend to walk on the outside of your heels, ezWalker® Custom Orthotics help to place your foot into better alignment, which improves your gait. Additionally, our custom orthotics help to relieve heel pain.
• Wearing an immobilizing soft cast or walking boot that allows the inflamed area to heal.
• Having surgery to re-shape the heel bone and correct the deformity.

How can Haglund’s deformity be prevented? 

Some ways you can keep from getting pump bump are:

• Avoid wearing shoes with rigid backs, especially for long periods of time.
• Wear fitted, padded socks with non-slip soles.
• Perform stretches of the Achilles tendon to prevent it from tightening.
• Wear custom orthotics, like ezWalker® Custom Fit Orthotics, to ensure your feet are properly supported for better bio-mechanical alignment. With our custom orthotics, every step you take will be controlled throughout the gait cycle.

How to do I buy ezWalker® Custom Fit Orthotics? 

For more information about ezWalker® Custom Fit Orthotics, visit the WalkEZStore. To order your pair of ezWalker® Custom Orthotics, click here. ezWalker® Custom Orthotics are ultra thin and ¾ length, so they’ll fit in a variety of footwear. Plus, they come with a 90-day, money-back guarantee. So you’ve got nothing to lose, but your pain.

Because … when your feet feel good, you feel good.®

Note: If your pain persists, see your doctor for an accurate diagnosis and treatment. Persistent pain can indicate a more serious condition.

Disclaimer: The information included in this article is for educational purposes only. It should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.