Haglund’s Deformity Resection

 

Fixation is usually done using Arthrex SpeedBridge Anchors. Most of the time, I will also perform an FHL tendon transfer to the calcaneus. This is where I take one of the two tendons that goes to the big toe and use it to augment the Achilles tendon. This is done using an interference screw.

This protocol provides you with general guidelines for initial stage and progression of rehabilitation according to specified time frames, related tissue tolerance and directional preference of movement. Specific changes in the program will be made by the physician as appropriate for the individual patient.

REMEMBER: It can take up to a year to make a full recovery, and it is not unusual to have intermittent pains and aches during that time!  Swelling may be on-going for 6 months to a year following surgery.

FOR PATIENTS
Recovery at a glance:

  • At no point should the patient be doing any stretching against resistance. This is contradictory to my usual protocols and not-intuitive, but this is to protect the repair and prevent over-lengthening or over-stretching. NO CALF STRETCHING unless specified in written instructions. Please contact me to discuss if you feel that the patient needs achilles/calf stretching.
  • Begin moving your ankle up and down (range of motion) out of the boot to prevent your ankle from becoming stiff. 
  • 2 weeks non-weight bearing in a splint.
  • Return to the office at about 2 weeks for suture removal.  
  • Begin heel wedge protocol and protected weight bearing in the boot for 4 weeks.
  • Follow up 6 weeks post op.  Begin transition out of the boot and into regular shoe wear.  
  • You may begin gentle biking and swimming after 6 weeks.
  • 12 weeks post-op you may begin elliptical trainer and progress to advanced strengthening
  • At 16 weeks post-op you may begin higher impact activities.
  • Once you can come up and down on your toes (single heel rise) on the surgical side, or you can hop on the surgical foot (single leg hop), you may return to running, other sports and all activities.  This may take 6 months to a year. 

FOR PHYSCIAL THERAPISTS
Detailed recovery / rehabilitation protocol:

Phase I: Weeks 1-3

Goals

  • Rest and recovery from surgery
  • Control swelling and pain
  • Gradual increase of ADL (activities of daily living)

Guidelines

  • NWB (non-weight bearing) for 2 weeks.  Use knee-walker or crutches for safety all times.
  • May rest foot down when standing or sitting
  • Begin ankle motion as tolerated
  • Hip AROM: lying and standing
  • Knee AROM: lying and standing
  • Ankle AROM: seated only
  • Sutures removed at 14-21 days

Phase II: Weeks 3-6

Goals

  • NO CALF STRETCHING (unless specified in instructions)
  • Maintain hip and knee ankle ROM
  • Improve core, hip and knee strength
  • Gradual increase weight bearing with boot at 2 weeks after surgery (as directed by surgeon or staff), usually 25% per week

Guidelines

  • Progressive weight bearing in walker boot (see heel wedge protocol)
  • Transition to regular shoe at 6 wks
  • Shower when sutures out and wound healed
  • Massage of foot to decrease edema (light massage start from toes and work towards ankle)
  • Control swelling with elevation
  • Core and whole body exercises and strengthening
  • AROM ankle and gentle resistance band strengthening with dorsiflexion limited to first point or resistance

Phase III: Weeks 7-10

Goals

  • Swelling control with elevation and modalities as required

Guidelines

  • AROM at ankle: PF (plantar flexion), inversion/eversion, DF (dorsiflexion) to first point of resistance
  • NO CALF STRETCHING (unless specified in instructions), ask surgeon if you think ROM is insufficient
  • Manual mobilization of foot as required
  • Gentle mobilization subtalar joint
  • Try to control knee hyperextension (knee hyperextends to compensate for lack of DF at ankle)

Phase IV: Weeks 10-12 

Goals

  • Increase DF and strength

Guidelines

  • NO CALF STRETCHING (unless specified in instructions)
  • Regular shoes by 6 weeks as tolerated
  • Stationary bicycle: start to add tension
  • Sitting: active PF exercises, DF to tolerance

Phase V: Weeks 13-16

Goals

  • Full weight bearing
  • Swelling and pain resolution
  • Good proprioception in single leg support

Guidelines

  • Theraband: inversion/eversion, DF
  • ROM exercises
  • Gentle calf stretches
  • Manual mobilization as required
  • Calf press and leg press
  • Proprioceptive exercises
  • Single leg support
  • Progress to wobble board
  • Gait retraining
  • Swimming
  • Stepper
  • Eccentric drops
  • Progress to advance dynamic drills 16 + weeks
  • hopping – skipping – progress to sport specific drills 16 + weeks

Phase VI: Week 16+

Goals

  • Full lower extremity strength and maximum function

Guidelines

  • Work or sport specific activity
  • Work to control arch
  • Strength training through running; band work; heel rise
  • Progression from double to single heel rise strengthening

Phase VII: Weeks 26

  • Return to competitive sport
  • Single heel rise and single leg hop intact