Foot lumps can be soft tissue masses – not bones – which occur on any part of the foot.  Foot lumps can be either swollen soft tissue, sacs of fluid, fatty tissue and nerve, vessel or enlarged muscles.  Foot lumps might be without pain or if painful can affect how your foot functions and moves.  We discuss some of the types of foot lumps below.  And as a reminder if you have any type of foot pain, see a podiatrist to get a correct diagnosis.

Ganglion Cyst – a Ganglion Cyst is a soft, gel like mass that can often change in size and appearance.  This type of cyst is caused by injury or trauma to the foot and ankle.  A Ganglion Cyst is a noticeable lump that appears on the top or bottom of your foot and ankle, and if there is a dull ache or pain near the lump, the cyst may be pushing on a ligament or tendon.  If the cyst is painful, an in office procedure can be done to drain the fluid from your cyst and a steroid medication applied to shrink the remainder of the cyst.

Plantar Fibroma – is a benign growth that appears on your plantar fascia, the ligament that stretches from your heel to your toes.  They are small in appearance and grow on the arch of your foot.  You might notice pain on the bottom of the foot especially if you are wearing shoes.  Plantar Fibromas are diagnosed by ultrasound, X-Ray or an MRI (Magnetic resonance Imaging).  Treating Plantar Fibromas may include over the counter medications, orthotics, physical therapy or even a cortisone injection.

Haglund’s Deformity –  this is a bony enlargement of the back of the heel bone, where the Achilles tendon attaches to the heel.  Also referred to as “pump bump” since women are more prone to this condition because wearing pump-style shoes seem to aggravate this area of the foot.  People who have a high-arched foot, a tight Achilles tendon or a tendency to work on the outside of the heel.  Diagnosis includes a podiatrist examination as well as X-rays.  Wearing appropriate shoes, orthotics and performing stretching exercises to help stretch the Achilles tendon, and heel lifts are some of the nonsurgical treatment options.  

If you have a lump or bump on your foot and is causing pain and interrupting your daily activities, please consider calling and making an appointment with  Dr. Margaret Withrow or Dr. Dylan Kaumaya at Roadrunner Foot and Ankle in Peoria, Arizona.  We want you back on your feet and pain free as soon as possible.