Haglund’s deformity can be painful and debilitating. If you’re living with this condition, working with a knowledgeable, experienced podiatrist is essential. Your doctor should help you explore noninvasive treatment options when possible. If needed, they should also be able to successfully perform Haglund’s deformity surgery. As the best podiatrist in NYC, Best Foot Doctor NY is committed to helping you experience lasting relief.
While Haglund’s deformity won’t go away on its own, nonsurgical interventions can help to decrease your pain. Has your doctor recommended exercises to help with Haglund’s deformity? If so, you might be wondering whether they’ll actually help. This article will explore five exercises that may help provide real relief from your Haglund’s deformity pain.
How Can Exercise Help With Haglund’s Deformity Pain?
Exercise doesn’t “cure” Haglund’s deformity, but it can relieve your pain. It often does this by decreasing the strain on your Achilles tendon. If your tendon is less tight, it won’t hurt as badly when the bump caused by your Haglund’s deformity rubs against it.
Before You Start Exercising
If you’re a patient at Best Foot Doctor NY, the best podiatrist team in NYC will be able to provide guidance as you exercise. Remember to always consult your doctor before starting any exercise routine. If a movement is painful, stop and seek medical advice before continuing.
When you’re suffering from a painful condition like Haglund’s deformity, it can be tempting to perform as many repetitions as possible in order to get relief. But it’s best to start slowly and gradually work up to performing more repetitions and more intensity.
Wall calf stretch | First Suggestion by NYC’s Best Podiatrist
While leaning against a wall, you can adjust your stance to target the right area of your foot. Follow these steps:
- Place your hands against the wall, a little more than shoulder-width apart.
- Step backwards with one foot.
- Slide your foot backwards until it feels like your heel is rising.
- Turn your leg slightly inwards and bend your knee.
Try to hold this stretch for a couple of minutes.
Exercise #2: Heel raise
For this exercise, you may need something nearby to hold onto for support (like a chair).
- With your feet on the floor, place your hands onto your support as needed.
- Raise your heels to stand on the balls of your feet.
- Hold this position for a few seconds.
- Lower slowly to the ground with a controlled motion.
You might try starting with 15 repetitions at a time, and gradually work up to more.
Exercise #3: Towel stretches
You can either use a towel or a resistance band to perform this move.
- Sit on the ground and stretch both legs out in front of you.
- Place the towel or band around the ball of your foot.
- Gradually pull on the towel to move the ball of your foot towards your body.
Exercise #4: Towel pickups
You can perform this simple exercise while you’re relaxing on the couch. Simply place a towel on the floor and try to grab and lift it using your toes. Be sure to keep your heel on the ground during this movement.
By curling your toes, you’ll be strengthening your foot and increasing its flexibility.
Exercise #5: Stair drops
To do this exercise, you’ll need to stand on one step of a stairway.
- Grip the stair railing for balance.
- Move your heels and arches backwards, off the step. Place your weight on the balls of your feet.
- Lift one foot off the step, and stand on the tiptoes of the other leg.
Be sure to do this exercise at the very bottom of a stairway to reduce your risk of falling injuries.
Read more in our blog: Haglund’s Deformity: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
What If Exercise Isn’t Enough To Relieve My Haglund’s Deformity Pain? | The Best Podiatrist in NYC Answers
Sometimes, noninvasive treatment options for Haglund’s deformity are unsuccessful. When these fail to provide relief, surgery can alleviate your pain. The team of podiatrists at Best Foot Doctor NY performs Haglund’s deformity surgery in Brooklyn and Queens. We offer six convenient locations, and we’re ready to get you back to a pain-free life. If you need a Manhattan-area podiatrist with extensive surgical experience, Dr. Emmanuel Fuzaylov has the expertise and track record you’re looking for.
Haglund’s deformity surgery involves removing excess bone from your heel. Your bone may also be smoothed and shaped to relieve pressure on the surrounding structures in your foot.
Questions About Haglund’s Deformity? Reach Out to the Best Podiatrist Team in NYC Today
Best Foot Doctor NY is the best team of podiatrists in NYC because of our total commitment to patients’ well being. We know that foot pain can be debilitating and stressful, and we strive to make your patient experience as seamless as possible. Ready to start a conversation? Call (718) 291 9020, or schedule an exam today!