34 Conditions That Make Your Feet Hurt

17. Haglund’s Deformity

Patrick Haglund described Haglund’s deformity for the first time in 1927. It is also known as retrocalcaneal exostosis, Mulholland deformity, and the “pump bump.” It is a common clinical condition that is still poorly understood. Haglund’s deformity is a bone and soft tissue abnormality in the foot. This condition is caused by an enlargement of the bony section of the heel (where the Achilles tendon is inserted). When the large, bony lump rubs against rigid shoes, the soft tissue near the back of the heel can become irritated. The etiology is unknown, but some possible causes have been proposed, including a tight Achilles tendon, a high arch of the foot, and heredity causes.