Minimally Invasive Haglunds Surgery

Haglund´s Deformity

Haglund’s deformity is a bony deformity or prominence dorsally and laterally on the back of the heel which commonly leads to dull, aching soreness at the area known as bursitis. Painful bursitis is the inflammation of a fluid-filled sac between the tendon and bone, and between the tendon and the skin. Haglund’s deformity is also known as “pump bump” because the condition is common in women who wear high heels (or pumps). The pressure from a high-heeled shoe aggravates the enlargement when walking. Patrick Haglund was the first to describe the deformity associated with pain to the back of the heel in 1928.

Minimally Invasive Surgery

Dr. Nunez does a minimally invasive ambulatory surgical technique to correct Haglund’s Deformity. It involves making extremely small incision on the posterior lateral aspect of the heel to remove the bony exostosis or bump. The Achilles tendon is not detached with this surgical technique.

There is no need for a long open incision thus causing minimal injury to the adjacent tissues which results in reduced swelling, pain, and recovery time.

MIS surgeons are able to rely on a compression dressing for stabilization immediately after surgery, eliminating the need for internal fixation (pins, screws plates, etc.)

The small surgical incisions enable the surgeon to use fine specially designed instruments to obtain the best cosmetic result.

Surgery is performed under Fluoroscopic imaging and using just local anesthetic instead of general anesthesia, making foot surgery possible for some patients who were previously considered to be too at risk for traditional surgery due to age or medical history.

There is less trauma to the tissue and surgical times are lessened with this technique, reducing pain and recovery time. Less suturing is necessary and often times no sutures are used. Postoperative patients ambulate immediately and are placed temporarily in a surgical shoe or boot to aid ambulation.