Women Centered

We understand the demands on the modern woman. We are mothers, sisters, caregivers, business owners and employees. We have developed treatments that fit your conditions that also allow you to take care of your responsibilities. When you are down with an injury, the work does not get any easier for you. 

What is Haglund’s Deformity?

Haglund’s Deformity is a bony enlargement of the back of the heel bone. Sometimes it’s called “pump bump” because the deformity often occurs in women who wears pumps.

Causes

The shape of your foot can contribute to the development of Haglund’s Deformity. If you have high arches, a tight Achilles tendon, or a tendency to walk on the outside of your feet, you’re more likely to develop Haglund’s Deformity than other people. Wearing shoes with a firm, rigid back may also contribute to the development of Haglund’s Deformity.

Symptoms

The primary symptoms of Haglund’s Deformity are an enlarged bony prominence on the back of the heel and heel pain. You might also develop blisters on your heels as a result of your shoes rubbing against the bump.

Home Care

Heel pads placed in the backs of your shoes may relieve and redistribute some of the pressure. Applying ice to the area after removing your shoes may ease some of the pain and discomfort. Switching shoes can help, too. If you have an otherwise normal foot, wearing open-heeled shoes may provide relief. Open-heeled shoes are not a good idea, though, if you have tendinitis, bunions, foot pain, or a structural deformity of the foot.

When to Visit a Podiatrist

If the pain persists despite your home remedies, or if the bump continues to enlarge, it’s time to see a podiatrist. A podiatrist can carefully evaluate your feet and create a treatment plan tailored to your feet. 

Diagnosis and Treatment

A podiatrist will begin by carefully examining your feet and taking a thorough medical history. X-rays may be ordered to get a good look at the structure of your feet. Sometimes, an MRI or ultrasound might be ordered as well.

Treatment will depend on the severity of the condition. Options include:

  • Shoe modification. Your podiatrist can recommend over-the-counter heel pads, heel lifts, or arch supports, or create custom orthotic supports to change the position of your feet in your shoes to relieve pressure on the back of your foot.
  • Medication. Topical anti-inflammatory medication, applied directly to the heel, may provide pain relief. Oral anti-inflammatory medication (such as ibuprofen) can help as well.
  • Immobilization. If the area is extremely inflamed, a custom-made soft cast or walking boot may be used to immobilize the area and allow it to heal.
  • Surgery. If none of the non-surgical methods provide adequate relief, your podiatrist may recommend surgery to correct the deformity. Podiatrists are specially-trained foot and ankle surgeons who can surgically re-shape the heel bone.

Prevention

Avoid shoes with rigid backs. If you have a high arch or tight Achilles tendon, wearing appropriate shoe inserts and/or adequately stretching the Achilles tendon can help prevent the development of Haglund’s Deformity.

Whether you like to get a pedicure in the nail salon or at home, follow these easy Dos and Don’ts to keep your feet looking and feeling their best.

Dos

  • If you have diabetes or poor circulation in your feet, consult a podiatrist so he or she can recommend a customized pedicure that both you and your salon can follow for optimal foot health.
  • Schedule your pedicure first thing in the morning. Salon foot baths are typically cleanest earlier in the day. If you’re not a morning person, make sure that the salon filters and cleans the foot bath between clients.
  • Bring your own pedicure utensils to the salon. Bacteria and fungus can move easily from one person to the next if the salon doesn’t use proper sterilization techniques.
  • When eliminating thick, dead skin build-up, also known as calluses, on the heel, ball and sides of the feet, use a pumice stone, foot file or exfoliating scrub. Soak feet in warm water for at least five minutes, then use the stone, scrub, or foot file to gently smooth calluses and other rough patches.
  • When trimming nails, use a toenail clipper with a straight edge to ensure your toenail is cut straight across. Other tools like manicure scissors or fingernail clippers increase the risk of ingrown toenails because of their small, curved shape. See a podiatrist if you have a tendency to develop ingrown toenails.
  • To smooth nail edges, use an emery board. File lightly in one direction without using too much pressure, being sure not to scrape the nail’s surface.
  • Gently run a wooden or rubber manicure stick under your nails to keep them clean. This helps remove the dirt and build-up you may or may not be able to see.
  • Maintain the proper moisture balance of the skin on your feet by applying emollient-enriched moisturizer to keep soles soft.
  • Use a rubber cuticle pusher or manicure stick to gently push back cuticles. If toenails are healthy, you can use nail polish to paint toenails. Make sure to remove polish regularly using non-acetone nail polish remover.

Don’ts

  • Resist the urge to shave your legs before receiving a pedicure. Freshly shaven legs or small cuts on your legs may allow bacteria to enter.
  • If you are receiving a pedicure and manicure, don’t use the same tools for both services as bacteria and fungus can transfer between fingers and toes.
  • Although certain salons offer this technique, don’t allow technicians to use a foot razor to remove dead skin. Using a razor can result in permanent damage if used incorrectly and can easily cause infection if too much skin is removed.
  • Don’t round the edges of your toenails. This type of shape increases the chances that painful ingrown toenails will develop. 
  • Emery boards are extremely porous and can trap germs that spread. Since they can’t be sterilized, don’t share nail files with friends and be sure to bring your own to the salon, unless you are sure that the salon replaces them with each customer.
  • Don’t use any sharp tools to clean under nails. Using anything sharp makes it easy to puncture the skin, leaving it vulnerable to infection.
  • Be sure that you don’t leave any moisture between toes. Anything left behind can promote the development of athlete’s foot or a fungal infection.
  • Because cuticles serve as a protective barrier against bacteria, don’t ever cut them. Cutting cuticles increases the risk of infection. Also, avoid incessantly pushing back cuticles, as doing so can make them thicker.
  • If you suffer from thick and discolored toenails, which could be a sign of a fungal infection, don’t apply nail polish to cover up the problem. Nail polish locks out moisture and doesn’t allow the nail bed to “breathe.” Once you fix the underlying issue, then it is safe to paint nails. If the problem persists, be sure to visit your podiatrist.

Pregnant women are especially prone to foot pain and discomfort. Since the body undergoes changes and acquires a new weight-bearing stance, the best shoes are those with broad-based heels that provide support and absorb shock. Additional body weight from growing another human also calls for more support, to prevent foot “breakdown.” The expectant mother often experiences more than ordinary swelling of her feet and ankles, which can aggravate existing foot conditions and promote inflammation or irritation.

Pregnancy also triggers the release of hormones, which enhance laxity in ligaments, which contribute to foot strain. This the most important factor to understand to combat foot problems.

 Often people ask “why did my foot grow during pregnancy”. The fact is the hormones that relax the pelvis during this time are the same hormones that cause the foot to flatten, and not grow. Orthotics are necessary during pregnancy to prevent this abnormal process.

Women are an intergral part of the work force . A lot of them are finding that their professional and white-collar employment brings job satisfaction, but that it’s tempered by other realities. One is that the new responsibilities probably haven’t replaced those of the woman’s once-traditional role as homemaker and mother.

Those roles remain, and many women find themselves not only holding down a full-time salaried position, but also still doing the shopping, the child rearing, and the laundry. Women probably were on their feet a lot more than men before work, now that increasing numbers of them are working, their feet are taking even more punishment. The footwear that some wear in the work place may be playing a role. But, more often is their bone structure.

All this adds up to a need for women to pay more attention to foot care, to avoid subjecting themselves to unnecessary foot problems, particularly those that might be caused by improper footwear and hosiery.

Older women have more trouble with their feet than younger ones, for the simple reason that fat pads on the bottom of the feet tend to deteriorate in the aging process. They can alleviate some foot problems by wearing properly fitted, well-constructed shoes. Shoes which provide cushioning and have a soft, flexible upper that will conform to the shape of their feet. They also need leather shoes, which “breathe” and can reduce the possibility of skin irritation.

Ideally, soles should be lightweight, with enough flexibility and shock-absorbing quality to provide solid footing and not be slippery. Low-heeled shoes provide greater stability, more protection for the feet, and greater comfort. Because older women often have circulatory problems, they have a special need to keep their feet warm in cold weather, to prevent frostbite.