An unexpected lump anywhere on your body can be a cause for concern, and the soles of your feet are no exception. A growth on the sole of one or both of your feet will probably be felt fairly early in its development, simply due to the pressure placed on your feet throughout the course of a day. While any lump should be reported to your doctor as soon as it has been noticed, a lump on the sole of your foot could simply be a plantar fibroma, although it of course needs to be diagnosed by your doctor as such. So what exactly is a plantar fibroma, and what can be done about it?

What Is a Plantar Fibroma?

Your plantar fascia are a row of strong tissues that run along the length of the base of your feet from your heel to your toes. A plantar fibroma is a knot that can grow somewhere along this plantar fascia and feels like a lump on the sole of the foot in question. You are likely to notice the development of the plantar fibroma before a lump can be felt with your fingers. This is due to the pressure placed on the plantar fibroma while standing.

Is a Plantar Fibroma Dangerous?

A plantar fibroma is an inconvenience and needs to be dealt with, but it is not dangerous. While it is considered a growth, it is benign (non-cancerous). It's essential to see your doctor to ensure that the lump is in fact a plantar fibroma and not another type of growth. A benign lump on the sole of your foot can affect your mobility and therefore your quality of life. Fortunately, there are a number of treatment options available.

How Is a Plantar Fibroma Treated?

If the lump is painful (which is not always the case), your doctor will likely treat it with steroid injections. These injections are required on an ongoing basis (to be determined by your doctor) which will shrink the plantar fibroma and allow you to walk normally. Your doctor might also refer you to a podiatrist in your area. The podiatrist will determine if the lump has reached its peak size and can then construct a shoe insert to accommodate it. This allows you to walk normally without the need for ongoing injections. The podiatrist will be able to examine the lump on an annual basis to see if the shoe insert needs to be updated.

So while it's annoying, a plantar fibroma is more of an inconvenience than something that is dangerous. But please remember that you still need to visit your doctor for an official diagnosis and to discuss treatment options.