Haglund's deformity (exostosis) is a structural deviation of the calcaneus and a calcification at the Achilles tendon attachment. In most cases accompanied by an inflammation of the soft-tissue. Pressure caused by shoes can lead to painful irritations, especially with hollow feet. Those are stabbing pains that can occur suddenly.
The therapy depends, in this case as well, on the stage of deformity. Although a painful Haglund's heel can be improved for a short period of time by taking the weight off the feet, lasting improvements can only be obtained by a correction of the statics. This can be achieved by the use of e.g. inlays that cause a repositioning of the calcaneus and relieve the muscles pulling at the Achilles tendon. With frigal and thermal treatments as well as with ultra-sonic treatments (physical therapy) good results are also achieved. The treatment with shock waves is also successful.
In many cases the combination of special inlays and physical treatment is already successful. Otherwise or if an already damaged Achilles tendon is diagnosed, an operation must be performed to narrow the calcaneus and to remove the bone protuberance. An inflamed bursa is usually removed at the same time. The long-term prognosis is very good, the operation is performed endoscopically, spares the tissue and is pain-reducing. Using the arthroscope, a spur can be precisely removed, controlled by x-ray methods.
Only in very few cases are position corrections of the calcaneus the only possibility to gain a lasting, long-term therapy result.
