Your Pump Bump Might Cause Other Problems
Do you know the phrase, “out of the frying pan and into the fire”? It’s a common colloquialism to describe getting out of one problem only to discover another, possibly worse one waiting for you. Health complications can feel that way: you think you’re dealing with one problem when something just as bad or worse arises. That’s certainly the case for some foot problems. Conditions that aren’t properly taken care of can give rise to complications. You can even see this with Haglund’s deformity complications.
Haglund’s deformity is the result of pressure, friction, and stress on the back of your heel bone. The most common culprit is actually your shoes. Stiff shoe backs press against your heel bone and aggravating it, enlarging the bump there. A tight Achilles tendon can have a similar affect because of how it pulls on the back of your foot.
As the pump bump gets larger and more aggravated over time, it can then contribute to additional problems in your heel. These complications can make it much more uncomfortable for you to walk or wear normal footwear, as well as make it a little harder for you to treat the problem as a whole. The most common complication is bursitis. This is inflammation that develops in the fluid-filled cushion that sits between your heel bone and Achilles tendon. An enlarged pump bump pins it against your tendon and irritates it.
Once complications develop, you have to treat them as well as the original issue. Otherwise you aren’t able to effectively address the pain. The most effective way to avoid complications like bursitis from developing with Haglund’s deformity, of course, is to treat the original problem as soon as it appears.
You don’t have to wait for your pump bump to develop complications to take care of it. The sooner you treat the problem, the less likely that you’ll have secondary issues. Let our team at Gulf South Foot & Ankle, LLC, in Metairie, LA, help you instead. That way you can enjoy your activities without worrying. Make an appointment with us online, or by calling (504) 708-4810. Jump out of the “frying pan” without worrying about the “fire” at all!