Abstract

Calcaneal ostectomy is the benchmark for definitive surgical treatment in patients with Haglund’s syndrome, despite conflicting and unpredictable study results. The current study’s hypothesis is that when adequate bone is resected and outcomes are evaluated using validated scores, calcaneal ostectomy can give reliable and predictable results. Thirty six consecutive patients (39 feet) underwent calcaneal ostectomy for Haglund’s deformity between 1998 and 2002. All patients were evaluated with the AOFAS score and SF-36v2 questionnaire. The mean time to follow-up was 51 months. The mean AOFAS score following surgery was 86/100 points ; the mean SF-36v2 score following surgery was 144/152.  Six of the 36 patients interviewed, however, would not recommend the procedure to others, citing mainly prolonged recovery time. Calcaneal ostectomy achieves good-to-excellent results in the treatment of Haglund’s deformity when appropriate amounts of bone are excised.  However, patients must be made aware of the necessary time to recovery, between 6 months and 2 years.