Question
QUESTION: 3 yrs ago I got Planters Facitis in my rt foot.I have very high arches and am over 50.  After a few pt appts., one foot dr appt then going to a chiropractor I opted not to get the shot and after wearing insoles and the night boot it went away! This spring I had the same thing in my left foot but then the pain migrated to the side of my foot. After 4 mo I went to a foot dr who told me I had Tarsal tunnel. Once again I went to pt and did exercises at home it it felt alot better. Now I have a pea sized bump on the lower edge of my foot that appears when I stand up (not when at rest) I dont want to get a shot and would rather not go back to the ft dr. Could it be a calcium deposit or cyst? Is kinda hard,I am a busy person and rarely sit down and I am really growing tired of my foot problems. thanks

ANSWER: Lisa, it sounds like the pea size bump could be a plantar fibroma.  They are usually located on the bottom inside part of the arch.  They can occur in one or both feet, but usually present in one.  Sometimes the plantar fibroma can press on a nerve or cause tightening of the plantar fascia causing more pain, but most of the time they are usually not very painful if they are small.  If it is not painful, then I wouldn't seek any further treatment.  Sometimes plantar fibromas can spontaneously regress; other times, they can grown in size.  Treatment usually consists of possibly doing a steroid injection in hope of shrinking it, topical verapamil gel, or excision.  Most patients just need an insert with an offloading pad or cutout to the area to reduce direct pressure to the lesion.  Check out our website and click on the "lumps and bumps" section for additional information!

Sincerely,
Dr. Leslie Johnston, DPM

Tampa, FL
Advanced Podiatry

http://www.thetampapodiatrist.com
http://tampafootandanklepain.blogspot.com/
http://www.tampacryosurgery.com
http://katzpodiatristtampa.blogspot.com
http://twitter.com/TampaPodiatrist
http://www.notoenailfungus.com
http://www.vibranttampatoenails.com  
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---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: sorry I wasnt detailed enough, the pea sized lump is on the outside of my left foot right below the ankle bone but not on the bottom of my foot, so now what?  thanks lisa

Answer
It could be a ganglion cyst which can be aspirated or injected with steroid to shrink it.  I still suggest you check out our website to see if any of the foot pathologies on it match up with your lump.


Sincerely,
Dr. Leslie Johnston, DPM

Tampa, FL
Advanced Podiatry

http://www.thetampapodiatrist.com
http://tampafootandanklepain.blogspot.com/
http://www.tampacryosurgery.com
http://katzpodiatristtampa.blogspot.com
http://twitter.com/TampaPodiatrist
http://www.notoenailfungus.com
http://www.vibranttampatoenails.com  
Advanced Podiatry Facebook Page
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000260088035