SmartHallux® Method
Smarthallux explains to you
All you need to know
on Haglund's Disease
What is Haglund's disease?
Haglund's disease is a common condition that causes pain and inflammation in the heel. If you've been diagnosed with Haglund's disease and are looking for effective treatment, you've come to the right place! On this page, you'll find all the information you need about this condition and how to treat it at SmartHallux, the clinic specializing in foot and ankle surgery.
Haglund's disease is the main cause of insertional tendinopathy of the Achilles tendon. This fairly common condition is characterized by pain in the portion of the Achilles tendon that inserts into the heel. This occurs due to an exostosis on the posterior process of the calcaneus, commonly known as the heel spur. Repeated microtrauma and the use of rigid footwear can cause inflammation of the surrounding tissues, resulting in pain.
It is a pathology that often involves both feet, although the symptoms often involve the dominant limb first.
The cause is probably to be found in fragmentation and inflammation of the growth plate in this area during growth.
It is important to specify that insertional tendinopathy, unlike non-insertional tendinopathy, does not increase the risk of Achilles tendon rupture.
Haglund's disease: symptoms
The most common symptoms of Haglund's disease include:
– Pain and swelling in the heel, especially after physical activity or sitting for long periods of time.
– Stiffness and difficulty moving the ankle.
– Redness and heat on the heel.
– Sensitivity to touch on the back of the heel.
– Difficulty wearing closed shoes.
The patient often comes to the clinic after having undergone an X-ray which highlights the appearance of the exostosis at the insertion point of the tendon.
Diagnosis of Haglund's disease
However, to make a diagnosis, a specialist examination is essential . The specialist, simply by observing the patient walking barefoot and performing tests, is able to reach a diagnosis.
To decide on the patient's treatment plan, the doctor uses a weight-bearing foot X-ray . This test is performed with the patient standing, because it is when standing that the foot works and that the pathology manifests itself.
Ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computerized tomography (CT) are second-level investigations, useful in certain situations, but which often provide the surgeon with less information than x-rays, as they are performed in a reclining position (lying down).
Haglund's disease: what to do?
Treatment of Haglund's disease depends on the severity of the symptoms and the patient's lifestyle.
Conservative non-surgical treatment
In some cases, the symptoms of Haglund's disease can be relieved with nonsurgical treatment, which includes:
• Rest: Avoid activities that cause pain.
• Ice: Apply ice to the painful area for 20 minutes at a time, several times a day.
• Pain medications: Take over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or naproxen.
• Physiotherapy: Perform stretching and muscle strengthening exercises to improve ankle flexibility and strength.
• Orthotics: Use custom-made orthotics to support the arch of the foot and reduce pressure on the heel.
• Comfortable footwear: Wear comfortable shoes with a low heel and good cushioning.
Haglund's disease: the operation
If nonsurgical treatment is ineffective, your doctor may recommend surgery. Surgery for Haglund's disease involves removing the bony prominence of the heel that causes pain and inflammation.
Surgical techniques have undergone significant evolution compared to the past, starting from anesthesia and post-operative pain control.
The goal of SmartHallux
The goal of SmartHallux is to revolutionize the treatment of Haglund's disease and all the most common foot pathologies and guarantee you a safe, reliable and above all long-lasting solution.
To achieve this goal we adopt the best surgical techniques, orthopedic devices, instruments and materials on the market.
This is why we propose ourselves as private healthcare at an accessible and financeable cost. Unfortunately, public and subsidized healthcare have spending limits that place limits on the use of materials, instruments and structures.
With SmartHallux you will have access to the best possible treatments, in excellent facilities and without having to wait for public health authorities.
SmartHallux®: Innovative Minimally Invasive Technique
Our surgical techniques
Anesthesia
The anesthesia we use at SmartHallux does not involve painful ankle injections or uncomfortable spinal anesthesia or general anesthesia.
Using ultrasound guidance, our anesthesiologists are able to identify the nerves and, with a single puncture behind the knee, selectively "numb" the nerve structures necessary and sufficient to perform the procedure painlessly, leaving the patient with full mobility of the legs and bladder control. Sedation allows the patient to avoid anxiety and, often, to wake up immediately after the surgery.
This type of anesthesia also allows for the anesthesia to be prolonged for up to 24-48 hours, reducing or even eliminating post-operative pain, without any risks or contraindications.
Minimally invasive open technique
The surgical technique we use at SmartHallux involves a small incision at the site of the Achilles tendon attachment. This is a minimally invasive procedure for Haglund's disease.
It is essential to never disconnect the tendon and avoid osteotomies, i.e. cuts in the bone, so as not to alter the tension or the lever arm of the heel, resulting in a loss of strength in the muscle-tendon complex.
By passing through the tendon we are able to remove not only the excess bone on all sides of the heel, but also the inflamed and hypertrophic soft tissues in order to eliminate all causes of pain.
Complications and risks of the surgery
Risks and complications associated with surgery are very rare, especially with non-invasive surgery. They include bleeding, allergic reactions, infections, deep vein thrombosis, embolisms, and skin complications, nerve damage with loss of sensation, persistent pain at the scar, delayed union, pseudoarthrosis, and joint stiffness.
The use of antibiotics and low molecular weight heparin and the use of percutaneous techniques further reduce the risk of complications.
Duration of the intervention
The operation is generally performed in day surgery. The patient enters the hospital in the morning and returns home the same evening.
Haglund's Syndrome: Post-Operative Care
The day after surgery, when sensation is fully recovered, the patient can walk with full support of the foot, wearing a comfortable shoe.
The only restriction remains driving vehicles for 7 days.
The first check-up is performed approximately 15 days after surgery. During this check-up, the stitches are removed. Full recovery generally occurs 2-3 months after surgery. The patient can return to contact sports after 2 months. Water walking rehabilitation, or hydrokinesitherapy, can help the patient recover more quickly.
Aesthetics beyond function
In addition to correcting the functionality of the foot, it is also possible to correct its aesthetics, improving the shape and length of the toes and decreasing their diameter in order to obtain a foot with a more pleasant appearance and which fits more easily with the desired shoes, even more tapered and with a high heel.
Why choose SmartHallux for surgery?
SmartHallux is a clinic specializing in foot and ankle surgery, with offices in Milan, Rome, and Naples. Dr. Luigi Manzi, an orthopedic surgeon specializing in foot and ankle surgery, is the Italian director of SmartHallux.
At SmartHallux, we're so confident we can solve your problem that, if we can't, we'll refund your entire cost and provide free support throughout your recovery journey.
We can offer you this guarantee because our treatment path is extremely safe, reliable, and time-tested.
SmartHallux stands out for its team of highly specialized foot and ankle surgeons. SmartHallux surgeons have extensive experience in minimally invasive surgery, which allows for a quicker and less painful recovery for patients.
SmartHallux® Certified Clinics
FAQ
Despite the use of advanced technologies, the costs of Haglund's disease surgery at SmartHallux are much lower than those of most surgeons in Italy. We've managed to reduce our costs by partnering with selected clinics and offering competitive prices without compromising the quality of our procedures.
