Haglund's exostosis Haglund's deformity / Haglund's syndrome / Haglund's disease

Haglund's exostosis is a bone protrusion at the back of the heel bone. This protrusion is formed by external pressure and causes pain in the heel.

Haglund's exostosis often occurs in people who wear ice skates or shoes with a hard heel cap. Bursitis and Achilles tendonitis are also frequently observed in people with Haglund’s exostosis.

Haglund's exostosis owes its name to a Swedish orthopaedic surgeon who was the first to describe this condition. It is an abnormal bone growth at the back of the heel. Such abnormal bone growth is also called exostosis. Exostosis can cause annoying symptoms at the back of the heel bone.

Between the heel bone and the Achilles tendon is bursa, the retrocalcaneal bursa. When, in addition to the exostosis, this bursa and the Achilles tendon itself are also inflamed, this is referred to as Haglund's syndrome.

Haglund's exostosis is usually caused by excessive pressure on the heel through uncomfortable footwear. Think of shoes where the heel cap is hard and stiff and presses against the heel. As a reaction to this pressure, the bone starts to thicken locally and forms a protruding hump.

The bursa, which is located between the heel bone and the Achilles tendon, can then become inflamed due to increased friction. This causes the bursa to swell and there is a chance that it presses against the Achilles tendon which, in turn, also becomes irritated.

The condition occurs more often in people with a high foot arch (arched foot), people who skate a lot and in young women who wear tightly fitting pumps. Because people wear the same shoe on the left and right side, this condition often occurs on either side.

Haglund's exostosis is usually easy to recognise by physical examination and by looking at the footwear. An X-ray can be taken to confirm the diagnosis, but it does not always show the exostosis clearly.

The treatment of Haglund's exostosis is initially quite simple. The pressure must be taken off the painful area. This can be done by removing the dent from the heel cap of the shoe or by buying shoes with a softer heel cap.

The potential presence of

Nugteren, K. van & Winkel, D. (2009) Onderzoek en behandeling van de voet Houten: Bohn Stafleu van Loghum.
Verhaar, J.A.N. & Linden, A.J. van der (2005) Orthopedie Houten: Bohn Stafleu van Loghum.