Haglund’s deformity is an abnormal prominence of posterosuperior part of heel bone. This prominence itself is not symptomatic but its pressure effect causes painful heel. This deformity is a predisposing factor for insertional tendinosis of Achilles tendon and retrocalcaneal bursitis. Haglund deformity becomes symptomatic after middle age, often bilateral and affects female more than male.

Exact cause of its formation is unknown but there may be a hereditary influence. There are some  risk factors.

• High arch foot
• Tight Achilles tendon
• Tendency to walk on outer border of foot
• Wearing high heels
• Obesity

• A protrusion or bulge at the back of your heel
• Pain at the back of heel
• Redness and swelling near heel due to inflammation

If you are feeling pain, difficulty in walking or wearing shoe, you should visit a specialist Foot & Ankle specialist surgeon.

Look of the heel is significant to diagnose the condition. Your doctor will examine your foot shape, walking and ankle movement. X-ray of heel bone is diagnostic of the condition. MRI is recommended to identify the soft tissue involvement like bursitis and tendinosis.

In early stage of the disease conservative therapy is significant to reduce the symptom. It may take a longer to get the effect of conservative treatment but one should not hurried for surgical treatment without an effective trial of conservative treatment. Conservative treatment consist of

• NSAIDs and ice pack for pain relief
• Heel raise to reduce friction on Achilles tendon
• Foot wear modification
• Activity modification
• Gastrocnemius muscle stretching
• Shock weave therapy
• Ultrasound massage

Most of the cases get significant relieved with conservative treatment but few may not. Local infiltration of PRP can give good result. Different surgical options are there depending on the extent of involvement.

• Arthroscopic debridement of bursa and resection of Haglund.
• Open debridement of Achilles tendon, retrocalcaneal bursa and resection of Haglund