What is Haglund’s Syndrome
Hagland’s syndrome is very painful. It can develop in one or both feet. When the section where the achilles tendon is located becomes inflamed, the tissue is enlarged. Wearing tight shoes will further aggravate the tissue, and eventually this could lead to bursitis.
Bursitis is an inflammation of the fluid filled sac that separates the tendon from the bone. Calcification of the heel bone may occur if inflammation is frequent. This can cause the bump to become even more prominent and further increase the pain that you’re feeling.
Haglund’s is most common between kids that are active between the ages of five and 15, and people that wear tight stiff shoes. Although this issue can develop in anyone.
People have different levels of risks for developing Hagland’s. The shape of the heel bone is one of the main factors so it often tends to run in the family.
Symptoms
- bump on the back of the heel
- severe pain where the achilles tendon attaches to the heel
- swelling in the back of the heel
- redness in the affected area
How to Diagnose
Because Haglund’s mimics the same symptoms of arthritis your doctor may send you for an x-ray to see if you have the right type of heel bone that’s most commonly associated with the disease. X-rays may also help your doctor shape orthotics to relieve your heel pain.
Treatment
Treatment usually focuses on relieving pain and taking pressure off the heel bone, below a list has been provided to aide in symptomatic treatment.
- wearing open-heel shoes, such as clogs
- NSAID pain relievers, like Tylenol
- icing for 20 to 40 minutes a day to reduce swelling
- iontophoresis, which uses a weak electrical current to help anti-inflammatory drugs penetrate the skin
- ultrasound treatments
- moist heat
- soft tissue massage
- orthotics
- heel and cushion pads to reduce pressure from shoes
Surgury can also be used to treat this condition if less invasive methods don’t work. The surgery will require the doctor to smooth, file and remove excess bone from your heel. This will take about eight weeks to heel and will leave you with the cut bandaged for seven days. after two weeks the stitches will be removed and x-rays will be done to make sure that the bone is healing properly.
Prevention
Reduce the risk by taking good care of your feet.
- avoid tight shoes
- wear shoes without backs more frequently
- perform stretching exercises so your achilles tendon doesn’t tighten
- avoid running on hard surfaces or uphill