A guide for patients with plantar fibroma

What is plantar fibroma?

A plantar fibroma is a fibrous nodule located on the sole along the arch area.

Plantar fibromas are embedded within the plantar fascia, the band of tissue that extends from the heel bone to the base of the toes on the bottom of the foot.

Plantar fibroma can develop in one or both feet and may look or feel like one or multiple lumps.

Plantar fibromas are usually a benign (non-malignant) condition with a very low incidence of malignancy.

The presentation of a plantar fibroma may not result in pain; if pain occurs, it can be caused by pressure from shoes over the lump along the arch of the foot. This pressure may be increased when walking or standing, and pain may also be experienced if standing barefoot.

What causes plantar fibroma?

Definitive causes for this condition have not been identified.

What are the symptoms of plantar fibroma?

A clinical examination of the foot may confirm a diagnosis of plantar fibroma.

(It is important to remember that it is rare for these lesions to be or become malignant.

Further assessments or imaging may be necessary if the mass increases in size or pain. )

Plantar fibroma may not cause any symptoms other than the awareness of the lump in the sole of the foot; in these cases, no treatment is required.

Over time, the fibroma may increase in size but not be painful or cause problems.

How is plantar fibroma treated?

Self-management There are many ways you can self-manage your symptoms:

Exercises

Exercises that stretch the calf muscle and plantar fascial band help ease pain in daily activity.

Stand with your hands against a wall. Take a step back with one leg. Make sure your heel is on the floor and the knee is straight. If you want to increase the stretch, you can bend the front knee.

Footwear

A good supportive shoe with a fastening, such as a trainer, may help. Avoid completely flat shoes.

Careful choice of shoes to increase cushioning and depth in the sole and arch area.

Medication

Your pharmacist will be able to recommend an appropriate painkiller for you.

Other treatments that your podiatrist may provide

Orthoses

Special shoe inserts may be prescribed, incorporating padding in the lump area to reduce any direct pressure on the lump. Orthoses may also help reduce pain caused by the fibroma when standing and walking.

Steroid injection

A steroid injection may reduce the pain caused by the irritation of an adjacent nerve. Otherwise, injections are of no benefit and may even enlarge the fibroma.

Your doctor or podiatrist can refer you to podiatric surgery for an assessment to determine if this is an option.

Surgery

A small percentage of people may need surgery if the pain continues following non-surgical treatment choices.

Surgical treatment may involve removing the fibroma. Surgery has risks, which will be discussed before any procedure.