Bump Forming on Right Heel

[StarlightTiger]

Hi! I'm an adult male figure skater (6'2" 175lbs; 1,88m 79kg) taking Learn-to-Skate USA group lessons. I'm currently level 4, advancing to level 5 out of a total of 6 levels. Now that I'm skating about 3x per week, I'm developing a bump on the back of my right heel. It appears to be the classic "pump bump" / "bauer bump" / Haglund's deformity. I don't believe it is due to my heel slipping because my right foot is slightly larger than my left, and I have absolutely no issues with my left foot. (My right foot is a little more snug in my boot than my left.) Would someone please tell me if they've also had this issue and if there are steps I can take to make sure it doesn't get worse? I've put some information about my boots below.

I traveled to get fitted for figure skates at a very reputable location. I'm skating in Jackson Premiere Fusions with JW Coronation Ace blades. I'm also a competitive tennis player and need lots of ankle support. When I first noticed the issue, I took my skates to my local skate tech (different to where I purchased them) and they verified that I'm in the correct size boots. I had my boots heat molded again, and had a small, light punch out at the location of the problem area. However, when I put my boot on, I still feel pressure on the bump on my right heel. I even tried skating wearing different insoles to see if that would help, but all it did was make my edges worse.

I'd really appreciate any advice! I've enjoyed learning to figure skate and met a lot of nice people, but I can't continue if I don't solve this problem. For example, would getting a more noticeable punch out at the location of the bump be worth trying? Or getting different skates? I only have this issue with my right foot, so I don't really know what the right approach would be. I have extremely high arches and wide feet, and my right foot is slightly larger than my left. (My right foot is my dominant foot.)

Thanks!

 

[Ic3Rabbit]

Hi! I'm an adult male figure skater (6'2" 175lbs; 1,88m 79kg) taking Learn-to-Skate USA group lessons. I'm currently level 4, advancing to level 5 out of a total of 6 levels. Now that I'm skating about 3x per week, I'm developing a bump on the back of my right heel. It appears to be the classic "pump bump" / "bauer bump" / Haglund's deformity. I don't believe it is due to my heel slipping because my right foot is slightly larger than my left, and I have absolutely no issues with my left foot. (My right foot is a little more snug in my boot than my left.) Would someone please tell me if they've also had this issue and if there are steps I can take to make sure it doesn't get worse? I've put some information about my boots below.

I traveled to get fitted for figure skates at a very reputable location. I'm skating in Jackson Premiere Fusions with JW Coronation Ace blades. I'm also a competitive tennis player and need lots of ankle support. When I first noticed the issue, I took my skates to my local skate tech (different to where I purchased them) and they verified that I'm in the correct size boots. I had my boots heat molded again, and had a small, light punch out at the location of the problem area. However, when I put my boot on, I still feel pressure on the bump on my right heel. I even tried skating wearing different insoles to see if that would help, but all it did was make my edges worse.

I'd really appreciate any advice! I've enjoyed learning to figure skate and met a lot of nice people, but I can't continue if I don't solve this problem. For example, would getting a more noticeable punch out at the location of the bump be worth trying? Or getting different skates? I only have this issue with my right foot, so I don't really know what the right approach would be. I have extremely high arches and wide feet, and my right foot is slightly larger than my left. (My right foot is my dominant foot.)

Thanks!

Hi and welcome! IMHO you should probably be one boot up from what you're currently in due to your height/weight etc, that is, if you should even be in a Jackson. Jackson and Risport are best for high arches. Royal Pro/RF1 for Risport. Do you wear bunga pads when you skate?

If what is happening to you what I think, it's pretty common in skaters, but I still think you should probably seek out the opinion of a Podiatrist or Orthopedist who specializes in foot issues before you do anything else.

 

[StarlightTiger]

Hi and welcome! IMHO you should probably be one boot up from what you're currently in due to your height/weight etc, that is, if you should even be in a Jackson. Jackson and Risport are best for high arches. Royal Pro/RF1 for Risport. Do you wear bunga pads when you skate?

If what is happening to you what I think, it's pretty common in skaters, but I still think you should probably seek out the opinion of a Podiatrist or Orthopedist who specializes in foot issues before you do anything else.

Thanks for your reply! I'll certainly go up in stiffness when I get my next boots. Right now my Premiere's are holding up well while I'm still learning the basics. I tried wearing the Bunga Achilles' heel pad, but I didn't like how it raised my heel and had pain where the thick seams are located at the top and bottom of the sleeve. (There's not really extra room inside my skate.) I cut the pad around the gel that protects just the back of the heel and taped it in place when I skated, but I'm not sure if that's the correct thing to do. It adds thickness to where I already have pressure on the bump - I'm not sure if that would help the issue or just make it worse.

I'm scheduling an appointment with an Orthopedist who works with athletes and specializes in foot issues, but it may be a little while before the appointment.

Again, any advice would be appreciated! I don't know if I should have the heel punched out to create more room for the bump, or if using the gel pad would be to my benefit or detriment, or if I'd need to get new skates entirely. (If I would need to get new skates, I'd rather not have them punched and see if I could sell them used since they still have life left in them.) A short term plan would be great before I can see the orthopedist.

 

[Ic3Rabbit]

Thanks for your reply! I'll certainly go up in stiffness when I get my next boots. Right now my Premiere's are holding up well while I'm still learning the basics. I tried wearing the Bunga Achilles' heel pad, but I didn't like how it raised my heel and had pain where the thick seams are located at the top and bottom of the sleeve. (There's not really extra room inside my skate.) I cut the pad around the gel that protects just the back of the heel and taped it in place when I skated, but I'm not sure if that's the correct thing to do. It adds thickness to where I already have pressure on the bump - I'm not sure if that would help the issue or just make it worse.

I'm scheduling an appointment with an Orthopedist who works with athletes and specializes in foot issues, but it may be a little while before the appointment.

Again, any advice would be appreciated! I don't know if I should have the heel punched out to create more room for the bump, or if using the gel pad would be to my benefit or detriment, or if I'd need to get new skates entirely. (If I would need to get new skates, I'd rather not have them punched and see if I could sell them used since they still have life left in them.) A short term plan would be great before I can see the orthopedist.

For the time being, Moleskin Padding you can buy OTC at most stores should help.

 

[Kristin]

Hi! I'm an adult male figure skater (6'2" 175lbs; 1,88m 79kg) taking Learn-to-Skate USA group lessons. I'm currently level 4, advancing to level 5 out of a total of 6 levels. Now that I'm skating about 3x per week, I'm developing a bump on the back of my right heel. It appears to be the classic "pump bump" / "bauer bump" / Haglund's deformity. I don't believe it is due to my heel slipping because my right foot is slightly larger than my left, and I have absolutely no issues with my left foot. (My right foot is a little more snug in my boot than my left.) Would someone please tell me if they've also had this issue and if there are steps I can take to make sure it doesn't get worse? I've put some information about my boots below.

I traveled to get fitted for figure skates at a very reputable location. I'm skating in Jackson Premiere Fusions with JW Coronation Ace blades. I'm also a competitive tennis player and need lots of ankle support. When I first noticed the issue, I took my skates to my local skate tech (different to where I purchased them) and they verified that I'm in the correct size boots. I had my boots heat molded again, and had a small, light punch out at the location of the problem area. However, when I put my boot on, I still feel pressure on the bump on my right heel. I even tried skating wearing different insoles to see if that would help, but all it did was make my edges worse.

I'd really appreciate any advice! I've enjoyed learning to figure skate and met a lot of nice people, but I can't continue if I don't solve this problem. For example, would getting a more noticeable punch out at the location of the bump be worth trying? Or getting different skates? I only have this issue with my right foot, so I don't really know what the right approach would be. I have extremely high arches and wide feet, and my right foot is slightly larger than my left. (My right foot is my dominant foot.)

Thanks!

I used to wear Jacksons many yrs ago and had a bump like this on both heels. In my case my bootfitter put me in custom harlicks because the jacksons heel wasn't narrow enough for me. Getting a custom fit was the right thing for me. I was competing freestyle with jumps thru lutz, field moves, and ice dance skating 4 mornings per week. So even if your heel doesnt feel like its slipping, if you have a narrow heel, the heels in the jackson boots may not be fitting snug enough all the way around. Just something to consider. Best of luck. Fyi - I no longer have this bump; custom boots did the trick.

 

[StarlightTiger]

For the time being, Moleskin Padding you can buy OTC at most stores should help.

Thanks for the suggestion! I'll give it a shot.

 

[StarlightTiger]

I used to wear Jacksons many yrs ago and had a bump like this on both heels. In my case my bootfitter put me in custom harlicks because the jacksons heel wasn't narrow enough for me. Getting a custom fit was the right thing for me. I was competing freestyle with jumps thru lutz, field moves, and ice dance skating 4 mornings per week. So even if your heel doesnt feel like its slipping, if you have a narrow heel, the heels in the jackson boots may not be fitting snug enough all the way around. Just something to consider. Best of luck. Fyi - I no longer have this bump; custom boots did the trick.

I'm relieved to learn other skaters have had the same issue, and happy that custom harlicks solved your problem. That'll certainly be something I'll look into in the future when I need new boots. Thanks for sharing your experience!

 

[celia]

I'm starting to have the same problem on the back of my right (landing foot) heel. It is particularly pronounced (downright painful) on the landing of loop jumps, but much less noticeable on flips/lutzes. I asked the fitter who sold me the skates who is very knowledgeable. He said in this case (and it does happen a lot), he would punch out the back of the boot, but more than "just enough" so that he could also fit a gel pad in the bump-out. That way the gel would not take up the much needed space in the space of the boot itself. I didn't have time that day to have the work done as I was only there for a sharpening, but I plan to try that. FWIW, I used to have Jackson Premieres and never had a problem. I upgraded to Jackson Elites, with a semi-custom split width narrower heel, and that is when the problem started.

 

[celia]

I'm starting to have the same problem on the back of my right (landing foot) heel. It is particularly pronounced (downright painful) on the landing of loop jumps, but much less noticeable on flips/lutzes. I asked the fitter who sold me the skates who is very knowledgeable. He said in this case (and it does happen a lot), he would punch out the back of the boot, but more than "just enough" so that he could also fit a gel pad in the bump-out. That way the gel would not take up the much needed space in the space of the boot itself. I didn't have time that day to have the work done as I was only there for a sharpening, but I plan to try that. FWIW, I used to have Jackson Premieres and never had a problem. I upgraded to Jackson Elites, with a semi-custom split width narrower heel, and that is when the problem started.

Follow-up. I went to my physical therapist today and she told me that I do not have "bauer bump"/Haglund's deformity. Basically something like a blister (that doesn't hurt except when I skate), as it is somewhat fluid filled. She also recommended moleskin until I can get my boots modified.

 

[Ic3Rabbit]

Follow-up. I went to my physical therapist today and she told me that I do not have "bauer bump"/Haglund's deformity. Basically something like a blister (that doesn't hurt except when I skate), as it is somewhat fluid filled. She also recommended moleskin until I can get my boots modified.

It's probably a benign cyst. I have gotten those before and they can easily remove them in office.

 

[celia]

It's probably a benign cyst. I have gotten those before and they can easily remove them in office.

Thanks

 

[beaconbabe5]

I had the same issue, I bought callous pads that stick and put them around the bump. They worked great - bought them on Amazon. Eventually I bought new boots and have not had the issue return. i also use Bunga Pads - they are amazing!

 

[StarlightTiger]

I'm starting to have the same problem on the back of my right (landing foot) heel. It is particularly pronounced (downright painful) on the landing of loop jumps, but much less noticeable on flips/lutzes. I asked the fitter who sold me the skates who is very knowledgeable. He said in this case (and it does happen a lot), he would punch out the back of the boot, but more than "just enough" so that he could also fit a gel pad in the bump-out. That way the gel would not take up the much needed space in the space of the boot itself. I didn't have time that day to have the work done as I was only there for a sharpening, but I plan to try that. FWIW, I used to have Jackson Premieres and never had a problem. I upgraded to Jackson Elites, with a semi-custom split width narrower heel, and that is when the problem started.

Thanks for talking about your experience! I appreciate learning more about what other skaters go through. I hope you're able to solve your issue too!

For the time being, Moleskin Padding you can buy OTC at most stores should help.

Thanks for all of your advice Ice Rabbit! I was able to get a cancellation appointment and see an excellent orthopedic foot specialist today. It appears I have insertional Achilles tendinitis. They took a couple of X-rays of my foot to check for bone spurs and calcifications. Everything looked normal - round heel bone with no bone spur or calcification. They recommended using a topical anti-inflammatory gel, calf stretches 5-6x/day, icing after exercising, and using a foam donut pad (similar to a callus pad) to eliminate friction and pressure around the area. I'm able continue my normal activity level since I only experience pain when figure skating, but if no change occurs within a couple weeks or it gets worse, I'll go back for a follow-up MRI and may have to stop playing tennis and figure skating for a while to ensure a full recovery. (Between my foot geometry and joint hypermobility, they weren't surprised this occurred.)

I had the same issue, I bought callous pads that stick and put them around the bump. They worked great - bought them on Amazon. Eventually I bought new boots and have not had the issue return. i also use Bunga Pads - they are amazing!

Thanks for sharing your experience too! My orthopedic foot specialist recommended something similar and I'll definitely be using them! I appreciate your time in replying to the thread.