At first you just think your foot is a little sore…maybe it’s the new shoes you bought. Then one day as you are rubbing the bottom of your arch where the pain is you feel a lump. Don’t panic—in many cases that we see at Long Island Foot & Ankle Group, PC, a lump in the arch is a benign condition known as plantar fibroma.
Getting it Checked
A plantar fibroma is a fibrous knot or nodule that forms in the plantar fascia—that long band of tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot from heel to toe. In order to confirm a diagnosis of plantar fibroma one of our foot and ankle surgeons, Dr. Russell Caprioli, Dr. Mary Ann Bilotti, Dr. John Haight or Dr. Marzana Mleczko will need to examine your foot and manipulate the affected area. The podiatrist may also order an MRI or do a biopsy on the lump to assist in the diagnosis.
At this point in time there are no known definitive causes of plantar fibroma. What is known, however, is that the fibroma will not disappear without treatment and can grow, making walking more painful and difficult.
Treatment
The best treatment for you plantar fibroma will depend on its size and location. The foot doctor has a number of options available. Nonsurgical options include:
·Steroid injections—injecting the medication into the fibroma may help shrink the mass. This can provide pain relief and make walking easier. The results may be temporary, however.
·Physical therapy—can help with inflammation
·Orthotic devices—if the fibroma appears to be stable and not growing, the foot doctor may prescribe a custom orthotic to be worn in your shoes. The purpose of the orthotic is to redistribute your weight in such a way that it does not put pressure on the fibroma when you walk.
Nonsurgical options will not eliminate the fibroma, only relieve the pain and discomfort caused by it. In cases where these conservative measures do not work, the foot doctor may recommend surgery but as this comes with its own risks (flattening of the arch and hammertoes) it will more likely be used as a last resort.
If you have found a lump in your arch (or anywhere on your foot) it’s important that you make an appointment at our Valley Stream or Lake Success office today by calling: (516) 825-4070 or (516) 327-0074.