We call them "pump bumps", painful, swollen bumps behind the foot, just where the shoe heel rubs against the back of the ankle. This problem usually affects young women in their 20's and 30's who love their stilettos. 
First it is just an irritation, but left untreated, a pump bump can turn into a real problem. What begins as simply a tender area respond to repeated injury by developing a fluid-filled sac that is inflamed, also known as a bursitis. Pump bump has a medical term, retrocalcaneal (behind the heel bone) bursitis . It is also called a Haglund deformity.
First it is just an irritation, but left untreated, a pump bump can turn into a real problem. What begins as simply a tender area respond to repeated injury by developing a fluid-filled sac that is inflamed, also known as a bursitis. Pump bump has a medical term, retrocalcaneal (behind the heel bone) bursitis . It is also called a Haglund deformity. What you should do first is see a podiatrist. Switch to shoes without hard backs in the meantime, and a soothing foot bath will relieve some of the discomfort. Your podiatrist can determine the structure of your heel bone, and there may be other factors at play, such as high arches, tight Achilles tendon, or overpronation of the feet. Your podiatrist can make custom orthotics for you, and is skilled at providing other alternatives, including padding and possibly injections.
You may benefit from physical therapy, ice, topical pain relievers, non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, and possibly casting. Exercises should be done to stretch the Achilles tendon cord.
Kevin O'Toole
Physical Therapist & Sports Massage Therapist
IPTI, RPTI
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