Is the painful bump on the back of my heel due to a bone spur?

A: Some people develop a bump on the back of the heel. Because of the pressure from the back of a shoe, it can become inflamed and painful. It is called a Haglund's deformity, but is commonly known as a pump bump. Women are affected by a pump bump more than men are because of the shoes that they wear, although both are susceptible to developing them.

A pump bump is caused by a bone spur that forms on the back of the heel. It forms for one of two reasons. The first is due to excessive pulling of the Achilles tendon on the heel bone. This occurs due to a tight or shortened Achilles tendon. The other reason is because of the rocking motion of the heel bone during walking. This causes shear forces on the back of the heel and a buildup of a bone spur in response to the pressure.

If you catch a bone spur forming before it becomes painful, it is usually effectively treated with a custom orthotic device. The orthotic helps to stabilize the foot function and limit the pressure and pulling on the heel bone. Don't wait for pain to start. Call your Houston podiatrist before a problem starts.

Tanglewood Foot Specialists

1011 Augusta Dr. Suite 202

Houston, TX 77057

713-785-7881

Houston foot & ankle specialist Dr. Andrew Schneider offers sports podiatry, diabetic foot care, and treatment and surgery of all foot and ankle problems to residents of Houston Texas and surrounding areas. Contact us today for an immediate appointment.