Plantar Warts

Plantar warts, also called verruca plantaris, are a buildup of skin on the bottom of the feet. Plantar warts are benign skin growths caused by the human... Read more
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Plantar Fibroma: A fibrous knot or nodule embedded in the plantar fascia, in the arch of the foot.
A plantar fibroma is a knot or nodule of fibrous tissue that develops in the medial longitudinal foot arch. This nodule grows within the plantar fascia—a strong band of connective tissue on the underside of the foot that runs from the heel to the toes. Plantar fibromas can develop in one or both feet, are noncancerous (i.e., benign), and typically will not resolve without appropriate treatment. Though a number of theories have been proposed, a definitive cause for this foot problem has not been identified or agreed upon by researchers or practitioners.
Plantar fibromas, unlike plantar warts (which grow on the skin), grow within the thick, fibrous connective tissue of the plantar fascia. Plantar fibromas are slow-growing masses and usually themselves do not cause pain. However, as they become larger, they may put pressure on sensitive structures (such as nerves and blood vessels) within the foot, which can make weight-bearing activities (e.g., walking, standing, running) for prolonged periods quite painful. They can also cause gait changes that put abnormal stress on the body’s joints and soft tissues.
This common growth is usually a solitary nodule, though multiple nodules are possible in the same foot. The mid-arch region of the foot is the most common location for plantar fibromas to develop, though they can appear anywhere along the underside of the foot. Plantar fibromas can occur in people of any age, though they are most common in children. Plantar fibromas, though not life-threatening tumors, can be profoundly uncomfortable, reduce mobility, and impair a person’s ability to wear shoes.
Plantar fibromas appear as one or more (painful or painless) lumps on the bottom of the foot and are firm to the touch. This lump can stay the same size or grow over time (sometimes to the size of a golf ball!), or more nodules may appear. Walking and wearing shoes can cause pain or discomfort. To help diagnose the problem, a foot care professional will often press on the lump, and this may generate pain that extends to the toes. An MRI or biopsy can also help confirm or rule out a plantar fibroma.
Researchers and physicians are still unsure about the underlying cause(s) of plantar fibromas, though many believe there is a genetic component to this problem, as some people are predisposed to fibrotic diseases and an overdevelopment of connective tissue. Other possible contributing factors include:
Conservative (i.e, nonsurgical) care measures can help reduce the pain and discomfort of a plantar fibroma, though they will not make the lump disappear. Some of the most common non-surgical approaches to treating plantar fibromas include:
Surgery to remove the plantar fibroma is commonly performed, especially if non-surgical methods fail to manage the pain or discomfort, though possible problems associated with surgery include:
Disclaimer:
The above content is for educational or informational purposes only and is not intended to replace or augment professional medical instruction, diagnosis, or treatment. Read full disclaimer here.Plantar warts, also called verruca plantaris, are a buildup of skin on the bottom of the feet. Plantar warts are benign skin growths caused by the human... Read more
Plantar fasciosis is a foot condition characterized by heel pain and pain in the plantar fascia—the strong and dense connective tissue structure on the sole of the... Read more
Are there any specific shoes that are good for plantar fibromas? My fibromas are located in the front portion of my heels (on the inside of each foot).
Hi, LH,
Thank you for your comment! The causes of plantar fibromas are varied, but the prolonged use of conventional footwear is one possible common underlying cause of this problem.
Shoes with toe spring and heel elevation stretch your plantar fascia, which can lead to tissue weaknesses that ultimately result in fibromas. Redistributing bodyweight over the entire foot through the use of foot-healthy footwear often yields positive results. All of the shoes we offer on our site meet our Natural Footgear Certified specifications, so our recommendations would be based on the type of activities you’d be engaging in. If you need additional cushioning to deal with contact pain, we’d recommend our Altra options, as they have the thickest soles of any of the footwear we offer. You can find a link to all our footwear offerings below:
www.naturalfootgear.com/collections/mens-shoes
www.naturalfootgear.com/collections/womens-shoes
I hope this information is helpful. If you have any further questions, please do let us know!
Kind Regards,
Andrew Potter
I’m a full-time waiter of 40 years who has developed two fibromas in my right foot and one in my left foot. I am currently awaiting orthotics. My gut instinct tells me that the podiatrist I saw is not that knowledgeable about how to help me, or that he even really cares. He didn’t seem to think that any particular shoe would help me while I wait for orthotics for over 6 weeks (and while I continue to wait tables full-time with significant pain and plantar fascia symptoms).
Hi, Tim,
Thank you for your comment. I’m really sorry to hear about your foot pain; I hope that you experience a resolution of your foot discomfort very quickly and are able to continue working in a pain-free state. Please let us know if there is anything we can do to assist.
Kind regards,
Marty Hughes, DC