Looking for advice on running shoes: I had been running for 20 years straight with almost no injury (most recently in Asics Nimbus for last 5 years) until this year when I had the terrible achilles injury (longitudinal tear, bursitis, the whole works). Now, after 6 months off of running, two IM’s missed, and lots of PT, I’m looking forward to start running this fall. My shoes seem to rub the Haglund’s deformity/pump bump that remains, so I’m trying to figure out if there are some better shoes out there? Or, has anyone had experience cutting the backs out of their running shoes (ultra folks?). I’m going to chat with some of the guys at the local running store, as well, but I’ve always had good luck asking ST.
Thanks!
With all that time off (and no resection/repair) you still may get your retrocalcaneal bursitis/achilles issues if your posterior-lateral bursal projection is still large (Haglund’s). That doesn’t go anywhere.
Asics have that nice PHF (or whatever they call it) heel memory foam, so usually a good shoe. Next would be very low heel/racing flat type shoes if you can run in them. Cutting the achilles notch is fine, just leave the heel cup intact (often plastic reinforced in the fabric/padding). Just “cauterize” the edges with a flame/lighter so it doesn’t fray.
I have large Haglund’s on both feet. I’ve tried several different brands of shoes and the best BY FAR are Mizuno. They seem to lack the sharp plastic ridge in the heel that bothers my feet in most other brands.
New Balance and Asics are the worst for me. I haven’t tried Brooks or Newton.
I’m not sure if it is going to be “low enough” to avoid rubbing on your Haglund’s, but I ran in the K-Swiss Blade-Light Run for the first time this weekend and was surprised how low the heel was while still feeling secure.
There may be a better shoe out there (I definitely haven’t tried them all), but in my experience that shoe had the lowest heel I remember running in.
Drew
I’ve had “pump bumps”, but no achilles issues for as long as I can remember.
Our situations may not be different because mine are not an acute / tender injury.
However, I’ve found that shoe choice doesn’t make much difference. I just end up wearing a hole in that area.
Hiking boots, however are a big deal. I haven’t been able to find a solution that does not lead to blisters while going up hill. Basically that area becomes the focal point for pressure and a blister is sure to develop. Especially with hard, inflexible heal counters and shanks.
+2 for Mizuno’s
I also make a vertical slit in the heel maybe 3/4’s of an inch long and cauterize it.
Ron W.
Not a member on this forum though signed up to respond to this - when I saw this question in my google search. I avoided running for,now, almost 8 years due to Haglund’s deformity and not getting the proper shoes. Tried Adidas Response Cushion last month and now I am being able to run ! Have about 0.5 cm bone extension in both ankles. Check “adidas response cushion 19” on Amahzon.
Considering that you’ve been in the Nimbus, check out the following:
Saucony Triumph (sits pretty low on the heel, generally)
Adidas AdiStar Ride
Brooks Glycerin
Mizuno Wave Rider
Good luck to you…
Although not specifically addressing your question, I’m going to throw this in:
In my experience, more important than a shoe which will accommodate your pump bump would be, if appropriate, the use of orthotics in any shoe. My achilles’ tendinitis, which started last summer, is much improved, and I think a big contributor was the (thorough) evaluation by a pedorthist and subsequent use of orthotics. Of course, the bottom line is whether your symptoms are improved or resolved, whether the Haglund’s deformity remains or not, but in my case the bump has nearly resolved, mirroring the improvement in my symptoms (thankfully!). Good Luck!
I have a pretty big Haglunds bump on my right heel. Have tried several shoes, and find Newtons the best. They bring me slightly up on toes, and that seems to help a litthle. And they are pretty soft on the heels.
Ran in K-Swiss last year, that made my heel pretty bad, and I had to take 3 onths of running after the season.
My heel hurts every day, so I am 90% sure I will do surgery on it this fall.
Had Haglunds for about 18 years now. I find I wear through shoes very quickly but have found the cut of Mizuno wave riders to be fab and also the inner is very hardwearing. I don’t get any pain and wear compression socks for longer/high intensity runs to make sure my achilles stays good.
Don’t cut the shoes. I’ve tried all sorts and it just takes time to find the right shoe. Also don’t be tempted to upsize to fit your bump. The skin on the bump will also harden. I rarely get blisters, however I’ll occasionally get a deep under skin one which can take a while to surface. If you suffer with rubbing, use rubbing alcohol on the skin to harden it up.
My husband usually just carves a little area out of the back of his shoes (his bump is like the size of a shooter marble).
It seems that other people’s haglund’s deformities hurt when rubbing against the shoe, mine I guess presses against the achilles which starts to hurt after a while. Didn’t bother me ever before, running on Brooks Adrenaline, will get fitted for custom orthotics next week. Didn’t think changing shoes would make a difference, but will give some of the suggestions a try.
Do you wear dress shoes for work? I found a big help for my Haglunds was moving from a very rigid (Allen Edmunds) lace up to a more comfortable shoe with less heal (Bruno Magli slip ons).
I do wear orthotics and have had succes with Brooks Adrenaline and Mizuno Wave Elixir (my current shoe which I love)
Could u be more specific…what is it about the wave riders that make them the best shoe for haglund’s “BY FAR”? Thanks.
Hello
I think that you must try the Skechers Gorun (competition) or Gorun Ride (training) as there is nothing hard at the back of the shoe. No plastic heel !
- I didn t say the Gorun2 which does have a slight plastic heel cup-
If you’re looking for shoes with a soft heel counter, check out the Altra line - nothing but soft material in the heel.
Has anyone tried high top running shoes? (does anyone make high top running shoes?) I had surgery for Haglund’s deformity a few years ago. This helped a good bit, but I still have an overgrown mass on my heel. I don’t know if it is bone or scar tissue or a combination. In any event, when I run with conventional running shoes this overgrown area rubs against the top of my shoes. When I walk with my hiking boots this overgrown area does get as irritated. I have surfed for information on high top running shoes, but I haven’t found much.
I also make a vertical slit in the heel maybe 3/4’s of an inch long and cauterize it.
For years I did the same. It resolved the rub issue.
But I developed a large heel spur there and it grew into my Achilles. I had it surgically removed and the Haglunds shaved. Problem solved. I no longer cut the back of the shoes or suffer from it.
What about the knew knit Nikes. There is no upper structure - like a sock.
http://www.roadrunnersports.com/rrs/products/NIK1546/mens-nike-free-flyknit/