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At Spectrum Healthcare North Ryde, we regularly help patients overcome the frustrating heel pain caused by Haglund’s deformity (also known as “pump bump”). This comprehensive blog explains everything you need to know in plain language – from causes and symptoms to the latest treatment options. If you’re searching for “Haglund’s deformity treatment North Ryde”, “heel bump pain North Ryde”, or “Achilles heel pain specialist North Ryde”, you’ve come to the right place. Our experienced physiotherapists and chiropractors are here to guide you back to pain-free walking and running.

What is Haglund’s Deformity?

Haglund’s deformity is a bony enlargement on the back of the heel bone (calcaneus), right where the Achilles tendon attaches. This prominent bump irritates the surrounding soft tissues – including the Achilles tendon and the retrocalcaneal bursa (a small fluid-filled sac that reduces friction). Over time, constant rubbing from shoes turns this bony prominence into a painful, inflamed area.

The condition is sometimes called “pump bump” because it was first noticed in women wearing high-heeled pump shoes with rigid heel counters. Today, it affects runners, dancers, ice skaters, and everyday people alike – especially those with high-arched feet. At Spectrum Healthcare North Ryde, we see this condition frequently and know how disruptive it can be to daily life.

What Causes Haglund’s Deformity?

Haglund’s deformity usually develops from a combination of structural and mechanical factors:

• High-arched (cavus) feet – this foot type naturally places more pressure on the back of the heel.
• Tight or shortened Achilles tendon and calf muscles – pulling excessively on the heel bone attachment.
• Hereditary bone shape – some people are simply born with a more prominent heel bump.
• Poor biomechanics – over-pronation or supination during walking/running increases friction.
• Repetitive stress – common in runners, basketball players, and dancers.
• Footwear choices – rigid heel counters in dress shoes, ice skates, or certain running shoes repeatedly irritate the area.

The result is a vicious cycle: the bony bump rubs against the shoe → inflammation develops → swelling makes the bump even more prominent → more rubbing occurs. Breaking this cycle early is key, and that’s exactly what we focus on at Spectrum Healthcare North Ryde.

What Are the Symptoms of Haglund’s Deformity?

Most patients first notice a visible or palpable bump on the back of the heel. Early symptoms include:

• Tenderness when pressing on the bump
• Pain that worsens when wearing enclosed or rigid-backed shoes
• Redness and warmth over the area
• Swelling that makes shoes feel tighter than usual

As the condition progresses, you may experience:

• Sharp or aching pain during walking, especially push-off
• Stiffness in the morning or after sitting
• Bursitis (painful inflammation of the bursa between the Achilles and heel bone)
• Achilles tendinopathy (thickening and pain in the tendon itself)
• Blisters or calluses from shoe friction

If left untreated, the constant irritation can lead to chronic Achilles problems. Many of our North Ryde patients tell us the pain stops them enjoying weekend walks or sport – but the good news is that most cases respond very well to the right treatment.

How is Haglund’s Deformity Diagnosed? Imaging Options Explained

Diagnosis begins with a thorough clinical examination at Spectrum Healthcare North Ryde. Your practitioner will assess your foot posture, arch height, calf flexibility, gait pattern, and footwear habits.

Imaging helps confirm the diagnosis and rule out similar conditions:

• X-ray (first-line and most common) – clearly shows the bony prominence and any “Haglund’s triad” features (prominent heel bump, Achilles thickening, and bursitis signs). Weight-bearing lateral X-rays are taken in our referring network.
• Ultrasound – excellent for viewing soft-tissue inflammation, bursitis, and Achilles tendon changes in real time. It’s painless and involves no radiation.
• MRI – the gold standard when symptoms are severe or surgery is being considered. It reveals detailed images of bone marrow edema, bursitis, and tendon degeneration.
• CT scan – occasionally used for complex cases or pre-surgical planning to assess exact bone shape.

We guide you to the most appropriate, cost-effective imaging based on your individual presentation.

Conservative Treatment Options for Haglund’s Deformity

The vast majority of patients (over 90%) improve dramatically with non-surgical management. At Spectrum Healthcare North Ryde, our evidence-based conservative approach includes: 1. Footwear modification - Switching to soft-backed or open-back shoes (runners with flexible heel counters, sandals, or shoes with a deep heel cup) - Avoiding high heels and rigid dress shoes completely during healing

1. Heel lifts and padding
   • Small heel raises (6-10 mm) to reduce Achilles tension
   • Silicone heel cups or doughnut-shaped pads to offload the bump
2. Custom orthotics
   • To correct high arches, control excessive motion, and redistribute pressure away from the heel
3. Physiotherapy & chiropractic care
   • Deep calf and Achilles stretching (especially gastrocnemius-focused)
   • Eccentric loading exercises for the Achilles once acute pain settles
   • Soft-tissue release, dry needling, and massage to reduce swelling
   • Gait retraining and lower-limb strengthening
4. Anti-inflammatory strategies
   • Ice therapy after activity
   • Short courses of NSAID medication (under medical guidance)
   • Topical anti-inflammatory gels

Most patients notice significant relief within 4-12 weeks of starting this program.

Non-Conservative Treatment Options: Injections and Surgery

When conservative measures fail after 6+ months, we consider more advanced options: Injections

• Ultrasound-guided corticosteroid injection into the retrocalcaneal bursa – provides rapid relief from severe bursitis (used selectively due to small risk of Achilles weakening)
• Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections – increasingly popular to stimulate healing of irritated tendon and bursa tissue Surgery (rare – less than 5-10% of cases)
• Haglund’s resection (bump removal) with or without Achilles debridement
• Usually performed endoscopically or with minimally invasive techniques
• Recovery involves 2-3 months in a walking boot followed by intensive physiotherapy
• High success rate (>85%) but reserved for truly refractory cases

At Spectrum Healthcare North Ryde, we exhaust all conservative avenues first and only refer for injections or surgery when absolutely necessary.

Long-Term Outlook and Prevention

With proper treatment, the long-term prognosis is excellent. The bony bump itself doesn’t disappear, but pain and inflammation can be controlled indefinitely for most people. Prevention tips include:

• Choosing running and everyday shoes with soft, flexible heel counters
• Regular calf stretching (especially if you have high arches)
• Gradually increasing training load in sport
• Using custom orthotics if you have structural foot issues

Many of our patients return to running, netball, dancing, and hiking without limitations after completing their tailored program.