Are you suffering from heel pain?  Often heel pain becomes synonymous with plantar fasciitis or the heel spurs it can create. As we have tried to point out in the past, you should never assume a diagnosis or ignore foot pain.  Austin Foot and Ankle Specialists are always ready to identify the cause of your heel pain as well as the best remedy.  There are many reasons your feet can hurt and some are more insidious and dangerous than others.  The specific problem I want to focus on in this blog is Haglund’s deformity or pump bump.

Because it does often resemble more of a bump, I had to put heel spur in quotations.  The deformity occurs on the dorsum, or top, of your heel bone where the Achilles tendon inserts into the foot. Just like the heel spurs associated with plantar fasciitis, this deformity can contribute to the problem, but is often not a source of the pain.  Depending on the type of shoes you wear or the types of activities you participate in will determine if this bony enlargement becomes a problem for you. This most commonly becomes painful due to a shoe with a stiff or rigid back create pressure between the bone and the soft tissues.  There is a bursa, or fluid-filled sac, between the bone and tendon that becomes irritated leading to painful bursitis. 

Remember the ending –it refers to inflammation.  Bursitis, or inflammation of a bursa can often be resolved with proper conservative care such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen and icing.  Once the inflammatory part is resolved the other components of the cause of the problem need to be addressed.  If your physical exam reveals muscle imbalance or lack of flexibility, our office will instruct you on exercises and stretches to correct this.  Because your footwear most likely started the problem adjustments, padding, or orthotic inserts may all be necessary to prevent the problem from returning.  Your Austin podiatrist will discuss the best surgical option for your situation if all the conservative treatments fail to resolve your pain.  

Are You Looking for a Heel and High Arch Pain Specialist in Austin, TX?

If you are looking for heel pain care, you should reach out to an experienced podiatristAustin Foot and Ankle Specialists can help. Our office provides a wide variety of advanced, effective treatment options for all kinds of painful conditions. Ready to schedule an appointment? Contact us online or call our Austin office at 512.328.8900.

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