Plantar Fibroma

A plantar fibroma is a benign growth that occurs on the bottom of the foot. You can have one on just one foot, or on both feet. If the growth is very small, you may not even notice it. It’s only when it grows larger that you may feel pain.

About Plantar Fibromas

A plantar fibroma is a non-cancerous growth on the bottom of the foot that is usually very small (less than an inch around). On the bottom of your foot, you have a thick band of tissue that connects your heel to your toes. This band of tissue is called the “plantar fascia”. Sometimes, a small growth can occur in this tissue. This is called a “plantar fibroma”.

What Causes a Plantar Fibroma?

There is no exact pinpointed cause that leads to the development of a plantar fibroma — and since there’s no known cause, it is not possible to prevent them from occurring. A plantar fibroma is always non-cancerous. However, your doctor may decide to do a biopsy on it just to be on the safe side.

Symptoms

You may have had a plantar fibroma for years and not even been aware of it. Many people actually don’t notice them until they start to cause pain. By the time you do feel pain, you may also be able to feel a sizable lump on the bottom of your foot. Pressing on the lump may cause pain to radiate down into the toes. The pain may intensify when you wear shoes, as there is more pressure being put on the lump. Walking or standing for long periods will also increase the pain. Patients who are experiencing difficulty walking due to the pain need to seek treatment.

Then there are some who feel a lump, but no pain. If the fibroma is not causing pain, it’s up to you if you want to seek treatment. If there are several lesions, especially if they are on the sole of your foot, then you have a different condition called plantar fibromatosis. This is also called Ledderhose disease.

Diagnosis

A physician can normally diagnose a plantar fibroma with a history of the patient’s symptoms and a physical exam. An MRI or x-ray may be ordered to get a better look at the entire foot and make sure that the physician isn’t missing a smaller lump or the incidence of many lumps, which would then be a different condition altogether. Your doctor may also decide to image both feet to ensure a lump is not beginning to form on the other foot.

Surgery

When less invasive procedures have not worked to reduce the pain from a plantar fibroma, then surgery is warranted. While the surgery is usually completely successful in removing the fibroma, it puts the patient at risk for developing hammertoes or flat arches. If this happens, orthotics may be useful to correct the foot’s position and alleviate pain. Recurrence is possible with a plantar fibroma, so your doctor will schedule follow-ups after the surgery.

Non-Surgical Treatment

You may decide to try non-surgical treatment first. Bear in mind that only surgery will be able to actually remove the fibroma. While non-surgical treatments can reduce your pain, the fibroma will not disappear and may even grow bigger.

Orthotics and physical therapy are two interventions used that don’t include any medicine. Orthotics may give relief because the foot is better supported and the sole of the shoe isn’t pressing into the fibroma. Physical therapy breaks up the tissue, which can decrease inflammation.

There are two medicinal treatments available. The first is called verapamil 15% gel. This is a transdermal gel that is applied to the bottom of the foot. In lab tests, it was shown to slow the growth of fibrous tissue. If it’s used correctly, your pain should subside after three months of treatment. If you’re using verapamil gel and your pain hasn’t decreased in three months, speak to your doctor about re-evaluating your treatment plan. The other medicinal treatment is corticosteroid injections, which are also commonly used to reduce pain for different kinds of ailments.

Plantar Fibroma Treatment at Foot & Ankle Specialty Group

When you live in a place as beautiful as Southern Orange County, it’s hard when you can’t be active due to foot and ankle pain. That’s why we work hard at our podiatric center to get you back on your feet and back to your life. Founded by Dr. Dr. Salma Aziz in 2001, Foot & Ankle Specialty Group is a modern, sophisticated, family-friendly clinic consisting of Dr. Aziz, Dr. Petrina Yokay, and Dr. Jessica Arneson — a professional and nurturing female surgeon group of foot and ankle specialists providing both in-office treatments and surgery to help heal foot and ankle injuries and conditions of all kinds.