A plantar fibroma is a fibrous knot, or nodule, in the arch of the foot. This nodule is embedded in the plantar fascia — a band of tissue spanning from heel to toe along the bottom of the foot. A plantar fibroma can happen on one or both of your feet at a time. Plantar fibromas are benign but don’t go away unless treated. There is no exact known cause for this condition.
Understanding a Plantar Fibroma
A plantar fibroma is a nodule in your foot. A fibroma is a knot of connective tissue and can happen anywhere in your body. These knots are benign, which means they don’t spread to other parts of your body. But they don’t go away without treatment.
A plantar fibroma creates a lump on the arch of your foot, which can cause pain. The pain can worsen with pressure, walking, or wearing certain types of shoes. This may cause daily discomfort that becomes unbearable over time.
The exact cause of this nodule on your foot is not known. However, some experts believe that they begin with small tears in your plantar fascia due to trauma. The nodules are the result of scar tissue that forms during the healing process.
A plantar fibroma can happen at any age. However, they’re most common in middle-aged and older people. Men get them twice as often as women, but it's unclear why.
What Does Plantar Fibroma Look Like?
The biggest sign of a plantar fibroma is a noticeable, firm lump on the arch of your foot. This lump, or nodule, can stay the same size or get larger over time. You can also get more fibromas on your foot or feet.
A plantar fibroma may or may not cause pain. Typically, the pain that occurs is because of shoes pushing against the nodule, rather than the nodule itself.
Diagnosing a Plantar Fibroma
Diagnosing a plantar fibroma is relatively easy. You’ll need to see a foot specialist who can rule out other conditions and check if the lump on your foot is benign.
To get a diagnosis for a plantar fibroma, you’ll need to see a foot and ankle surgeon. They will examine your foot and press on the affected area. Sometimes, this can cause pain that reaches your toes. They may take an X-ray or an MRI if needed. On rare occasions, they’ll need to do a biopsy to further examine the lump.
The nodule on your foot will likely have no swelling, increased warmth, or redness. When examining your foot, they’ll look for signs of other conditions. Other reasons for soft-tissue masses in your foot include cysts, swollen tendons, nerve tumors, or fatty tumors. They will also rule out foreign body reactions to something like a splinter that can cause swelling or infection.
How to Get Rid of Plantar Fibroma
A plantar fibroma is a relatively easy condition to treat. In most cases, you won’t need surgery to relieve the pain of the nodule. However, nonsurgical treatment might not get rid of the nodule completely. Some nonsurgical treatments your doctor may suggest include:
Steroid injections. Putting corticosteroid medication into the nodule may help it shrink, which will lessen or end the pain. But this reduction may be temporary, and the fibroma could eventually return to its original size.
Shoe inserts. If your doctor finds out that the nodule is not growing anymore, they may suggest using custom shoe inserts. This helps relieve pain by keeping weight off the lump.
Stretching. By stretching your plantar fascia, you may be able to ease the pain caused by the nodule. This may help ease your pain, but it won’t shrink the nodule itself.
Physical therapy. Sometimes, the pain can be treated through physical therapy. In addition to stretching and strengthening treatment, the therapist may use ultrasound or shockwave treatment to reduce the size of the fibroma.
Can you massage a plantar fibroma out?
No, you can’t massage a plantar fibroma out, but a physical therapist can show you massage and stretching techniques that can help you manage any discomfort. Avoid pressing directly onto the plantar fibroma, as it may cause more pain.
When to See a Doctor for a Plantar Fibroma
If the nodule on your foot is getting larger and more painful, you should see a doctor as soon as possible. They will be able to examine your plantar fibroma and check if more extensive treatment is required.
If your pain doesn’t go away in a few days, it’s best to consult your doctor. They will help you check the cause of your pain and treat it early.
Plantar Fibroma FAQs
Is compression good for plantar fibroma?
Compression socks may put too much pressure directly onto your plantar fibroma, so they may cause more discomfort than relief. Talk with your doctor about the best treatment options for your feet.
Can I run with plantar fibroma?
It depends on how severe your case is. If you have a larger plantar fibroma, running may be painful.
What shoes should I wear with plantar fibroma?
Wear supportive shoes with orthotic soles to take some pressure off your foot.
