Pump Bump, Hammertoe, and What You Need to Know

There are specific conditions of the foot that affect the shoes you’re able to wear comfortably, and unfortunately, some shoes can worsen foot and ankle woes. Spring is here, and soon enough, heels and running shoes will see a lot more use. With that in mind, the team at PodiatryCare, P.C., and the Heel Pain Center has created a cheat sheet regarding two issues you might want to watch for: Haglund’s deformity, also known as “pump bump,” and hammertoe.

Haglund’s Deformity, or “Pump Bump”

• This bony enlargement is a frequent problem for women who wear high heels or run long distances. It's an irregular growth centered on the back of the heel bone.

• The body often creates a bursa (a fluid-filled sac) to shield the area, but this may become inflamed (‘bursitis’).

• Closed-back shoes that rub against this region can aggravate the condition.

Symptoms:

• Painful bump at the back of the heel.

• Redness or swelling.

• Difficulty fitting into shoes.

Prevention and Treatment:

• Heel lifts, wearing open-back shoes, stretching, and physical therapy can all be effective.

• To help manage bursitis, a cortisone injection might be suggested.

• Orthotics are sometimes used in the management of Haglund’s.

Hammertoe

This condition involves a tendon imbalance in your foot that contracts the toe, making it uncomfortable and difficult to wear shoes. It can cause corns and calluses to form on top of the toe, and as you might have guessed, friction with the wrong footwear makes it all worse.

Symptoms:

• Bent toes (often the second, third, or fourth).

• Pain, redness, calluses, and corns on the affected toes or ball of the foot.

• Difficulty walking or wearing shoes comfortably.

Prevention and Treatment:

• Trimming of corns and calluses.

• Padding.

• Splinting of the affected toe.

• Changes in footwear.

Surgery may be suggested if these conservative measures aren’t effective, but that’s a topic for a whole different day…or blog post!

At PodiatryCare, PC, and the Heel Pain Center, Dr. Charlotte George, Dr. Matthew Tschudy, Dr. Rebecca Wiesner, Dr. Kristen Winters, Dr. Laura Vander Poel, and the rest of our team are dedicated to helping our Hartford County patients. To schedule an appointment at our Enfield location, call (860) 741-3041; for an appointment at our South Windsor location, call (860) 644-6525.