Items filtered by date: November 2018

A plantar fibroma may present as a small mass on the sole of the foot. Plantar fibromas are benign tumors that are found in the plantar fascial ligament of the foot. The plantar fascia is a ligament that supports the arch of your foot and connects the heel bone to the toes. Plantar fibromas may occur as a single lesion or multiple nodules. The medial and central band of the plantar fascia are frequently affected. Patients usually present with this issue in the 2^nd to 6^th decade of life. The fibromas are typically slow growing and do not grow larger than an inch in size. Most fibromas are typically asymptomatic, some may grow large enough to be painful with weightbearing and ambulation.

The cause of plantar fibromas is relatively unknown but there may be a genetic association. Fibromas are more prevalent in males. Those with systemic conditions such as, epilepsy, hypothyroidism, alcoholism, and diabetes may also have an increased incidence of plantar fibromas.

A clinical exam and X-ray would be sufficient for diagnosis, biopsies are usually not necessary. An ultrasound may also be ordered to further investigate the nodule. Your healthcare provider may order further imaging such as an MRI if they are suspicious of a more serious soft tissue mass that is possibly malignant or as a part of surgical planning. Asymptomatic fibromas may just be observed. If fibromas are painful, your podiatrist may suggest accommodative padding or insoles. The insole may have a cut out where the nodules exist to offload pressure to the area. Corticosteroid injections may also be offered to help alleviate pain and to attempt to reduce the size of the nodules. Surgery would involve removing the masses with surrounding portions of the plantar fascia. Risks of surgery include recurrence, wound complications and damage to local structures. Call your podiatrist today if you have questions or concerns about your plantar fibroma.

Please visit our website for more information or call 614-885-3338 (FEET) to schedule an appointment with us at our Columbus or Gahanna office

A neuroma is a result of a persistent benign fibrotic enlargement of a nerve. This may occur to digital nerves, between the toes. The most common neuroma occurs at the 3^rdinterspace, known as Morton’s neuroma.  The thickening of the nerve develops as a consequence of repetitive trauma or entrapment of the nerve.

The pain from neuromas may be nonspecific including a variety of symptoms such as burning, tingling, numbness, or the sensation of a foreign object.  Pain may be elicited by shoe gear that has a narrow toe box. The pain or neuralgia is commonly unilateral. Pain may worsen to the point where a person is unable to tolerate closed toe shoes. Patients may describe feeling like they are walking on a pebble or that their sock feels bunched up under the ball of their foot.

Upon physical examination, your podiatrist may try to reproduce pain by palpating the interdigital spaces or by squeezing the foot. They also may order imaging to rule out other lesions or arthritis as a cause of pain. Treatment for the neuromas includes shoe gear changes, such as a wider toe box to prevent compression. Your podiatrist may recommend orthotics with metatarsal pads or bars to provide more space between metatarsal heads. A local anesthetic or corticosteroid injections may be offered to help reduce symptoms. Alcohol injections may be offered to chemically ablate the nerve. If conservative treatment fails, surgical excision of the neuroma may be an option. Call your podiatrist today if you have questions or concerns about neuromas.

Please visit our website for more information or call 614-885-3338 (FEET) to schedule an appointment with us at our Columbus or Gahanna office