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.
Plantar fibromatosis is the condition of having plantar fibromas. A common cause of plantar fibromas is injury to the plantar fascia. A puncture wound or injury from repetitive pressure can cause a small tear in the plantar fascia which can cause plantar fibromas to form.
A sign of a plantar fibroma is being able to feel a small, firm lump in the arch of the foot. While usually painless, a plantar fibroma can cause pain from pressure from shoes or while walking.
The tissue of a plantar fibroma is not cancerous. Plantar fibroma will often shrink or go away without treatment.
During the examination to diagnose a plantar fibroma, the physician may press on the arch of the foot and the lump. Pressing on the lump can cause pain which may radiate down the toes. The diagnosis may be confirmed by using an MRI or biopsy.
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.
The physician may recommend the use of orthotics devices such as shoe inserts to help relieve pressure on the plantar fibroma. The physician may suggest the use of over-the-counter pain relief medication.
If the primary noninvasive methods fail to provide relief, other treatment options include steroid injections, physical therapy, and cryoablation. The plantar fibroma may be injected with corticosteroids to shrink its size.
Cryoablation is a process in which a probe is inserted in an incision on the arch of the foot and is used to freeze the area around the plantar fibroma. The freezing damages the nerves around the fibroma which stops the individual from being able to feel pain in that area. Cryoablation can also be used to treat plantar fasciitis.
Surgical removal of the plantar fibroma is one possible treatment option, but it is often not recommended due to possible complications. Surgical removal of a plantar fibroma can cause flattening of the arch of the foot.
Plantar fibromatosis is the condition of having plantar fibromas. A common cause of plantar fibromas is injury to the plantar fascia. A puncture wound or injury from repetitive pressure can cause a small tear in the plantar fascia which can cause plantar fibromas to form.
A sign of a plantar fibroma is being able to feel a small, firm lump in the arch of the foot. While usually painless, a plantar fibroma can cause pain from pressure from shoes or while walking.
The tissue of a plantar fibroma is not cancerous. Plantar fibroma will often shrink or go away without treatment.
During the examination to diagnose a plantar fibroma, the physician may press on the arch of the foot and the lump. Pressing on the lump can cause pain which may radiate down the toes. The diagnosis may be confirmed by using an MRI or biopsy.
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.
The physician may recommend the use of orthotics devices such as shoe inserts to help relieve pressure on the plantar fibroma. The physician may suggest the use of over-the-counter pain relief medication.
If the primary noninvasive methods fail to provide relief, other treatment options include steroid injections, physical therapy, and cryoablation. The plantar fibroma may be injected with corticosteroids to shrink its size.
Cryoablation is a process in which a probe is inserted in an incision on the arch of the foot and is used to freeze the area around the plantar fibroma. The freezing damages the nerves around the fibroma which stops the individual from being able to feel pain in that area. Cryoablation can also be used to treat plantar fasciitis.
Surgical removal of the plantar fibroma is one possible treatment option, but it is often not recommended due to possible complications. Surgical removal of a plantar fibroma can cause flattening of the arch of the foot.
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