Plantar Fibromatosis
A fibrous knot in the arch of the foot is called a plantar fibroma. This knot is embedded in the plantar fascia which is the tendon that extends from the heel to the forefoot.
The condition of having plantar fibromas is diagnosed as plantar fibromatosis. Plantar fibromatosis is often caused by an injury to the plantar fascia such as a puncture wound or injury from repetitive impact that may occur from running or other activity that puts repeated pressure on the arch of the foot. The injury can cause a tear in the plantar fascia which can cause a plantar fibroma to form.
Feeling a small, firm lump in the arch of the foot is often the first sign of a plantar fibroma. A plantar fibroma can be painless or the person may experience pain when there is pressure on the arch the foot from shoes or while walking.
A plantar fibroma is not cancerous. Many plantar fibromas will go away without treatment.
When diagnosing a plantar fibroma, the physician may press on the arch of the foot and feel the lump. While the physician is pressing on the lump, the individual may feel pain that may radiate down the toes. An MRI or biopsy may be used to confirm the diagnosis of plantar fibromatosis.
If the plantar fibroma is not causing any pain, the physician may recommend no treatment to see if the lump disappears on its own. There are several treatment options for a plantar fibroma that is causing pain.
Noninvasive methods of treatment include the use of orthotics devices such as shoe inserts to help relieve pressure on the fibroma. The doctor may also order nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication (NSAIDs) for pain.
Other treatment options include physical therapy, steroid injections, and cryoablation if the primary noninvasive treatment methods fail to provide relief. For treatment with steroid injections, the physician may inject corticosteroids into the fibroma to shrink it.
Cryoablation is a surgical procedure that uses a probe inserted into the arch of the foot to freeze the area around the plantar fibroma. When the tissue around the fibroma is frozen, the freezing damages the nerves which prevents the person from feeling pain in that area. Cryoablation is also a treatment method for plantar fasciitis.
Another possible treatment option is a surgical removal of the plantar fibroma. Surgical removal is not often recommended because it can cause complications such as overpronation or a flattening of the arch.
Please pay lots of attention to your foot care if you are having problems. And please seek any podiatrist for help if you have any foot problems. We have a free forum full of podiatrists, that give free foot health advice.
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