On the first week of the new year, Washington Wizard’s point guard John Wall underwent surgery to fix a lingering heel injury. The diagnosis of the injury was reported as a Haglund deformity, which is associated with persistent Achilles tendinopathy. Many of the media reports refer to this as an injury, but that is not accurate.    

The Haglund deformity is just a prominent part of the bone where the Achilles tendon meets the heel bone.  Many people have a bony prominence there and no symptoms, so there is debate about the role of the bone and the value of excising it.  Degeneration of the Achilles tendon (tendinopathy) usually happens at a little older age. Most tendinitis and tendinopathy can be managed nonoperatively.

Wizards head coach Scott Brooks recently explained that Wall has dealt with this problem for years. Sources indicate the surgery should sideline him for six to eight months.