I have been playing hockey for about ten years and I recently develepod Haglunds Deformity. At this time I dont have much pain, but the bump is getting bigger as I play about 3 times a week. Any suggestions out there on how to deal with this problem? Any adjustments that I can make to the skates? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Hi Brian,
The bump area needs to be relieved of pressure that is causing the bone to overgrow, that is the first thing. You can mark your bump with lipstick and put your skate on. The lipstick will transfer to the area within the skate that is offering your foot pressure. Have that area in your skate ground out.

You could instead make a donut pad for your bump and place it in your skate so the bump sits in the donut. However, the donut pad method will take up precious space within your skate, as hockey skates tend to be fitted VERY tight and toes often touch the front anyhow.

The second thing you could do is deal with the motion of your foot inside your skate that may be causing the outside/back of your heel to rub in your skate.

If you were to have some kind of good arch support in your skate, it might keep the inside of your foot from moving inward thereby keeping the outside of your heel from moving outward, and getting pressure.

I suggest trying both things together.


Hope this helps
Best
Spencer Weisbond.

Thanks for the suggestions Ill give them a try.

Dear Brian
The conservative treatments for a Hagland`s deformity would be excavating the area of the shoe, heel lifts, orthotics, decreasing activity, casting, rehabilitation and anti-inflammatories prescribed by you doctor(as long as there are no contraindications with your medical history or cuurent medications). If conservative treatment fails your `pump bump`or Hagland`s deformity may need to be surgiacally removed. I would suggest that you go and see a Podiatrist for an evaluation so that a thorough biomechanical evaluation can be performed, and bring along your skates.

Good-luck and thank-you for contacting foot,com,
SBarlizo, DPM, C Ped
foot.com expert

Here is a cheap method of living with Haglund's Deformity. Take a peice of DR Scholls Molefoam Padding, 4.5 " x 3.5", and cut into 2 pieces , 2.5" X 3.5". Round the corners and cut a hole about the size of a dime in the lower center of each pad. Place the pad over the bump. This will protect the bump from pressure and relieve swelling, inflamation, an pain. Since you can use this approach every day, it can get expensive to use new pads each time. I use Tuff Skin Taping Base and spray it on the pad and reuse for several days. Use a hair dryer to evaporate the alcohol after you apply the Tuff Skin. It also softens the pad so it will conform to your heel better.