What’s that Lump in Your Foot?

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When you find a lump anywhere on your body, your first reaction might be to get worried. But not all lumps are cause for alarm. When it comes to your feet, there are several kinds of lumps that might appear that are easily treated by Monmouth County podiatrists Dr. Samantha Boyd, Dr. Hal Ornstein, and Dr. Joseph Saka of Affiliated Foot & Ankle Center. Here’s a few -

  • Plantar fibromas are benign tumors that appear on the bottom of your foot in the arch area, between your heel pad and your forefoot. Doctors are unsure of the exact cause of plantar fibromas but suspect that they’re inherited. Plantar fibromas can be painful and the worst cases consist of many small, rapidly growing tumors that can invade nerves and blood vessels. If a patient doesn’t get relief from wearing pads and shoe inserts, foot surgery may be an option.
  • Ganglion cysts are non-cancerous, fluid-filled masses that grow on top of a joint, ligament, or tendon. A ganglion cyst that doesn’t cause you any pain can be left alone. However, if it’s uncomfortable or if you find it unattractive, there are a couple of ways that Dr. Boyd, Dr. Ornstein and Dr. Saka can help you. The fluid of a ganglion cyst can be drawn out with a needle, thus removing the lump. Sometimes, the cyst will re-fill with fluid. Such re-occurring cysts that irritate, cause pressure on a nerve, or make it difficult to wear shoes can be surgically removed.
  • Haglund’s deformity is the name given for a lump on the back of your heel near the insertion of the Achilles tendon. A swollen, red, painful bump forms when there is repeated irritation and pressure to the back of the heel from a rigid, high-backed shoe or by some biomechanical issue such as high arches or a tight Achilles tendon, for example.

Make an appointment with our board-certified podiatrists in Howell or Jackson, New Jersey for any sort of lump on the foot that continues to cause you pain or concern. We have all the tools to expertly diagnose and treat foot lumps, from x-rays and MRIs to anti-inflammatory medications, custom orthotics, walking boots, and a physical therapist right here on staff. Call us at (732) 905-1110.