Surgery - Haglund's deformity or pump bump

[Tiggeroo]

Has anybody had this surgery ? Probably going to need it. Pretty substantial bump on my heel. Hurts to do too much walking or any real activity. Been trying stretches, ice, wrapping, anti-inflammatories....for over 5 months. No better. I am pretty concerned about the length of time for recovery. I have obligations that I will need to do at least in a modified way.

 

[NotUrsula]

I would say that if you were advised by a podiatrist that you need this surgery, get a second opinion from an orthopedic surgeon. IME, podiatrists are notoriously eager to cut on feet when there may be another option.

Figure skaters get Haglund's quite often, and it is standard to go with physical therapy, including ultrasound, before resorting to surgery. If you haven't had any PT, I'd try that first.

 

[Tiggeroo]

I would say that if you were advised by a podiatrist that you need this surgery, get a second opinion from an orthopedic surgeon. IME, podiatrists are notoriously eager to cut on feet when there may be another option.

Figure skaters get Haglund's quite often, and it is standard to go with physical therapy, including ultrasound, before resorting to surgery. If you haven't had any PT, I'd try that first.

Likely pt will be required by insurance first. And yes hockey players get it too. I think it came from shoes I was wearing to spin class. Most research I have seen doesn't show that pt helps but if I can avoid surgery I will do anything suggested. That surgery sounds not too pleasant.

 

[lsyorke]

I would say that if you were advised by a podiatrist that you need this surgery, get a second opinion from an orthopedic surgeon. IME, podiatrists are notoriously eager to cut on feet when there may be another option.

That is a very big generalization on podiatry, and not a fair representation of a whole profession. Podiatrists use all modalities to avoid surgery, including physical therapy and non invasive techniques...a LOT! If a patient isn't happy with the care they are receiving from any doctor a second opinion is always a good idea, but don't write off a whole area of medicine based on another persons opinion on an area of medicine that could significantly help you.

 

[Tiggeroo]

Hoping to hear from somebody who has had this injury

 

[NotUrsula]

That is a very big generalization on podiatry, and not a fair representation of a whole profession. Podiatrists use all modalities to avoid surgery, including physical therapy and non invasive techniques...a LOT! If a patient isn't happy with the care they are receiving from any doctor a second opinion is always a good idea, but don't write off a whole area of medicine based on another persons opinion on an area of medicine that could significantly help you.

I'm not writing them off, as I said, it was an anecdotal opinion, and there are many things that podiatrists do very well. However, I stand by what I said: IN MY EXPERIENCE, and in that of many people I know, podiatrists in general are fairly quick to recommend surgery.

It is my opinion that, in the US, at least, this is probably related to insurance reimbursement patterns. Routine podiatric care is often a specific exclusion, but surgery usually is covered. Therefore, it makes practical sense for them to recommend surgery to a patient who is not progressing quickly, because it is more likely to be covered by insurance, and less likely to require a large number of therapeutic visits that the insurer will balk at covering. I know that it is hugely difficult to make a living providing medical services that insurance won't cover, so I understand completely why that might happen, and that if they do this they are doing their best to help people get good outcomes with treatment they can afford.

However, electing to cut a bone is always a big deal, so it deserves careful forethought and an opinion not just from more than one physician, but from more than one specialty, because particularly when you are talking about the feet, a non-surgical alternative that works will spare you a lot of additional pain and everyday difficulty in getting around (including driving.) I'd say this about any type of provider if treatment they are recommending will have a major effect on your everyday life.

 

[LoveSpringsteen]

I don't post often, but I wanted to reply to you. I have a Haglunds bump on my left heel along with Achilles tendenosis. It developed in my early 20's when I used to wear ill-fitting heels often. It was not painful until my early 40's and I was in tremendous pain. I limped most of the time. I went to a podiatrist and did several rounds of physical therapy over a few years. Nothing took the pain away completely. What helped the most was getting custom orthotics from the podiatrist and Motrin, but the pain was always there and would be especially bad if I did a lot of walking. Then, late last year, I hurt my arm and my general Dr prescribed an anti-inflammatory and it has changed my life. I have very little pain now. I can walk without a limp and for long stretches. I still use my orthotics every day. The bump is still there, but the pain is greatly subsided.

I also wanted to mention that my podiatrist did tell me about the surgery, but he wasn't pushing it because it is a major surgery and he wanted me to exhaust all other options first.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[lsyorke]

I'm not writing them off, as I said, it was an anecdotal opinion, and there are many things that podiatrists do very well. However, I stand by what I said: IN MY EXPERIENCE, and in that of many people I know, podiatrists in general are fairly quick to recommend surgery.

It is my opinion that, in the US, at least, this is probably related to insurance reimbursement patterns. Routine podiatric care is often a specific exclusion, but surgery usually is covered. Therefore, it makes practical sense for them to recommend surgery to a patient who is not progressing quickly, because it is more likely to be covered by insurance, and less likely to require a large number of therapeutic visits that the insurer will balk at covering. I know that it is hugely difficult to make a living providing medical services that insurance won't cover, so I understand completely why that might happen, and that if they do this they are doing their best to help people get good outcomes with treatment they can afford.

However, electing to cut a bone is always a big deal, so it deserves careful forethought and an opinion not just from more than one physician, but from more than one specialty, because particularly when you are talking about the feet, a non-surgical alternative that works will spare you a lot of additional pain and everyday difficulty in getting around (including driving.) I'd say this about any type of provider if treatment they are recommending will have a major effect on your everyday life.

And again...your experience is yours alone and the information related to insurance reimbursement is incorrect(I do this all day for years and know exactly what insurance pays). You went to a bad podiatrist and I'm sure there are just as many knife happy orthopedics, many who I've known over the years.

The OP should get a second opinion, ortho or podiatrist, and find some relief. That's what's key here. OP I've seen many haglunds deformity surgeries and patients are very happy with the outcomes, when non invasive methods fail to help. Orthotics are a very good option to see if they help.

 

[Dread Pirate]

I have had surgery on both feet for Haglund's Deformity. I didn't wear high heels back then, usually tennis shoes or flats, so no idea why they formed. Surgery to correct the right foot was the day of the Challenger explosion. I healed quickly, and even figured out how to drive my stick shift car with my right foot in a cast. The left foot wasn't as bad. I was going to have the surgery on it in August 1988, but when they did the tests when I checked into the surgery center, it turns out I was pregnant! (The podiatrist said it was the first time he ever got to diagnose a pregnancy!) I ended up having the left surgery in 1991, after putting it off due to needing to be active with a little boy.

The backs of my heels haven't had any problems since then. I never tried cortisone shots or anything else before surgery since the bumps were really bad.

 

[low-key]

pic

 

[Tiggeroo]

Well saw the ortho. I am on a prescription anti inflammatory, intensive pt, heel lifts and a gel sleeve, and some kind of steroid cream that they use some ultrasound or something to get it to penetrate better. Going to commit to working hard at it for the next 6-8 weeks. If it doesn't get better or starts to get worst I'll do the surgery which really does have a long recovery. 6 weeks of no weight bearing and no full recovery for 8 months. He said around 50% of patients are happy with the non surgical results. No logic for who. Some very bad cases do fine with the pt some minor cases need surgery. It's just bad timing as I am starting a business and need to be able to do things there.

 

[OhhBother]

Has anybody had this surgery ? Probably going to need it. Pretty substantial bump on my heel. Hurts to do too much walking or any real activity. Been trying stretches, ice, wrapping, anti-inflammatories....for over 5 months. No better. I am pretty concerned about the length of time for recovery. I have obligations that I will need to do at least in a modified way.

I had the surgery on my left Achilles in May 2013. It took until fall 2015 -- more than two years and neverending PT -- to be mostly recovered. And I still have some pain and cramping (common side effect) on occasion.

If I had it to do over again, I would have tried 4-6 weeks of immobilization without the surgery first, followed by PT. Don't let anyone tell you this isn't a major surgery. I was 41 and a runner when I had surgery and in pretty good health. The recovery was brutal. 6 weeks in a wheelchair, months in a walking boot, terrible swelling and pain. I was on pain medication for more than a year.

I finally did get mostly better -- with PT and time. The foot will never be the same -- now there's scar tissue in there to contend with. But I am better than I was. Our most recent trip to Disney in December is the first time I've been able to walk the whole trip since surgery -- no wheelchair needed, finally! I still don't run -- don't think I ever will again. But I am able to competitively lift weights now, so I'm back into sports.

Don't take this surgery lightly. It will change your day-to-day life for a long time. Exhaust every option before surgery. Wish I had!

 

[3toed]

I had the surgery on my left Achilles in May 2013. It took until fall 2015 -- more than two years and neverending PT -- to be mostly recovered. And I still have some pain and cramping (common side effect) on occasion.

If I had it to do over again, I would have tried 4-6 weeks of immobilization without the surgery first, followed by PT. Don't let anyone tell you this isn't a major surgery. I was 41 and a runner when I had surgery and in pretty good health. The recovery was brutal. 6 weeks in a wheelchair, months in a walking boot, terrible swelling and pain. I was on pain medication for more than a year.

I finally did get mostly better -- with PT and time. The foot will never be the same -- now there's scar tissue in there to contend with. But I am better than I was. Our most recent trip to Disney in December is the first time I've been able to walk the whole trip since surgery -- no wheelchair needed, finally! I still don't run -- don't think I ever will again. But I am able to competitively lift weights now, so I'm back into sports.

Don't take this surgery lightly. It will change your day-to-day life for a long time. Exhaust every option before surgery. Wish I had!

Hi,

Did they have to detach the achilles tendon completely or perform a partial detachment? My surgeon said if he only had to detach 50-70% of the tendon where it inserts into the heel, my recovery would be shorter. I am leery to go ahead with the surgery at this point.

Thanks

 

[h&D3]

I'm going in for this surgery on Friday. After dealing with this for almost a year, I can't take the pain any longer. I was in an AFO for about 6 months with my foot immobilized and couldn't take it any longer. My entire foot was painfully sore wearing that damn thing. An MRI showed that I do have tendon tearing, so after trying the AFO, we decided on surgery to correct this and probably a tendon transfer IF when he is in there decides the tendon is over 50% gone. Then he said something about they can take a piece of tendon from under my toe if need be.
They have already told me that I will be in a cast for 4-6 weeks, non-weight bearing. I think that's the part I'm going to have the hardest time with. That and the stairs (we have a split level house). But I think I figured out how to do the stairs by sitting on my butt going up and down.
All I know is I'm not looking forward to having this done, but I can't take the pain any longer. My last trip to WDW was horrible as I had to rent a scooter as I couldn't walk from the parking lot to the main entrance without bursting into tears from the pain.
I can let everyone know how it goes once I'm not groggy from the meds. So I would appreciate a little "pixie dust" from each of you that this all goes picture perfect on Friday.

~D

 

[OhhBother]

Hi,

Did they have to detach the achilles tendon completely or perform a partial detachment? My surgeon said if he only had to detach 50-70% of the tendon where it inserts into the heel, my recovery would be shorter. I am leery to go ahead with the surgery at this point.

Thanks

For me, it was a partial detachment. It’s interesting to see this thread pop up again.

I consider myself completely recovered from surgery at this point. I no longer have any pain or discomfort. I can walk 10 miles at Disney no problem.

I still can’t put full weight on it going down stairs - it’s just not strong enough. But other than that - and the annoying cramping that still occurs from time to time - I never even think about it anymore.

Still, I would really think long and hard about the surgery if I could go back in time. It was a long, long, frustrating and painful journey to get where I am today.

 

[h&D3]

So its been three weeks since I had my surgery. I've pretty much been house bound since going down stairs in a cast is really scary. (we have a split level house which luckily our bedroom, the bathroom and kitchen are all on the same level)
The Dr. did have to do a tendon transfer as the spur was pretty much through my tendon. He said it was a good thing I had it done when I did as if I would have waited much longer, the spur would have most likely make the tendon tear completely away.
I went yesterday and they removed the cast and took out the stitches. Man did some of those hurt when they took them out. the nurse said some of them were pretty deep.
After that, they casted my foot up again. Yep, another 3 weeks left in this damn thing. Then I will go to a walking boot/cast with wedges in the heel which will be removed every so often allowing my foot to go back into it's normal position.
I think the hardest thing in all of this is the waiting it out part. Not having the freedom to leave my house unassisted. However, if I can make it the next 3 weeks and finally can be walking (in the boot aided by crutches) then I think I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel.
So far, really no pain that I'm feeling. A few twinges here and there, but no pain like before.
So I'm hoping that the surgery took care of the pain I was dealing with. I look forward to the day that I can walk around WDW without any pain in my foot. Ok, I'll take the pain from my feet being sore from walking all day, but not from the spur.

~D

 

[LuvLeLe10]

So its been three weeks since I had my surgery. I've pretty much been house bound since going down stairs in a cast is really scary. (we have a split level house which luckily our bedroom, the bathroom and kitchen are all on the same level)
The Dr. did have to do a tendon transfer as the spur was pretty much through my tendon. He said it was a good thing I had it done when I did as if I would have waited much longer, the spur would have most likely make the tendon tear completely away.
I went yesterday and they removed the cast and took out the stitches. Man did some of those hurt when they took them out. the nurse said some of them were pretty deep.
After that, they casted my foot up again. Yep, another 3 weeks left in this damn thing. Then I will go to a walking boot/cast with wedges in the heel which will be removed every so often allowing my foot to go back into it's normal position.
I think the hardest thing in all of this is the waiting it out part. Not having the freedom to leave my house unassisted. However, if I can make it the next 3 weeks and finally can be walking (in the boot aided by crutches) then I think I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel.
So far, really no pain that I'm feeling. A few twinges here and there, but no pain like before.
So I'm hoping that the surgery took care of the pain I was dealing with. I look forward to the day that I can walk around WDW without any pain in my foot. Ok, I'll take the pain from my feet being sore from walking all day, but not from the spur.

~D

I have 2 WDW trips in the next 3 months planned and was diagnosed with this today. The doctor suggested a scooter. I am starting with anti-inflammatory prescription, heel sleeve, icing, new shoes, etc. I am just glad to know what is wrong after being in pain for so long. Any tips?