Surgical Treatment of Insertional Achilles Tendinosis and Haglunds Deformity by Using Central Tendon-splitting Approach: Retrospective Case Series of 15 Cases

Purpose of the study: Haglund's deformity or pump bump is a degenerative process and is a common cause of posterior heel pain. Operative treatment is required when conservative treatment fails and the symptoms are not relieved. Different surgical procedures and approaches have been used for this deformity. But in the literature, the results have been inconsistent. In this study, we retrospectively evaluated the clinical and functional outcome of operative treatment with debridement of the retrocalcaneal bursa and the Achilles tendon using a central tendon-splitting approach. Materials and methods: A total of 15 patients that underwent a surgical procedure were included in this study. The study duration was from January 2006 to June 2011. The clinical and functional outcome was evaluated using the American Orthopedics Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score. All patients were operated in the prone position by using a central tendon-splitting approach. Results: The mean follow-up period was 26 months. The mean AOFAS ankle-hind foot score had improved by 33 points from the preoperative mean score (37), with a mean score of 70 at the final follow-up. No complications (wound dehiscence and tendon avulsion) were noted. Out of 15 patients, all patients had good results except one due to persistent pain.