There are many causes for lumps and bumps on the bottom of the foot. They can occur in the toes, ball of the foot, arch and the heel.
Lumps and bumps on the bottom of the foot can be bone, soft tissue lumps or even skin lesions.
Lumps and Bumps Caused by Bone Problems
Bones can become enlarged or they may be out of place and cause lumps and bumps on the bottom of the foot. In the large toe there may be an extra bone on the bottom called a sesamoid. This can cause enlargement and a lump to form followed by a callus. This area can also become enlarged and irritated when the joint has decreased motion at the top placing pressure and friction of the bottom. This condition is known as hallux limitus or rigidus or arthritis of the big toe joint. Other problems caused by bone include bumps on the ball of the foot caused by the metatarsal bones being in an abnormal position. These bones feel like hard knots on the bottom and may be more prominent if the fat pad on the ball of the foot thins. These areas may also develop a callus to protect the area from friction. These skin areas can break down easily and should be watched closely if you have diabetes or poor circulation. To remove pressure from these bony areas certain shoes and orthotic devices are often recommended. This will get to the source of the problem. In some cases surgery may be an option.
Lumps and Bumps Caused by Soft Tissue Enlargements
Lumps on the bottom of the foot will commonly form throughout the arch area. On the bottom of the foot is a large flat band known as the plantar fascia. This band is made of fibers. When there is stress on the bottom of the foot, these fibers can become enlarged and start growing into harmless benign masses known as fibromas. The problem with fibromas is that often come back when they are taken out surgically. They may also worsen with cortisone injections. There are topical creams that can sometimes be helpful to shrink down the masses. However, if these masses multiply they can become painful. This condition is similar to masses that form on the palm of the hand and are associated with trigger finger. Orthotics may be a way to take pressure from the lumps and bumps on the bottom of the foot.
Lumps and Bumps Causes by Skin Lesions
On the bottom of the foot you can develop lesions such as calluses or warts. Calluses tend to be over high pressure and friction areas. Warts can be in any areas and are common on the toes, ball of foot and heels. Calluses are just hard skin areas, while warts are a form of virus that has infected the skin. Differentiating between calluses is fairly easy as a callus has skin lines and a wart does not. Lumps and bumps on the bottom of the foot caused by calluses and warts are treated differently. Calluses are usually shaved down and treated with cream. Your podiatrist will help you decrease the pressure and friction of the area using padding and orthotics to rebalance the foot pressures.
Warts are treated with various types of medications to kill the virus within the warts. Warts can be difficult and have a fairly high recurrence rate. Over the counter wart remedies do not work well on the bottom of the foot as the wart lesions are often to deep and surrounded by thick hard skin.
When you have lumps and bumps on the bottom of the foot, call Advanced Podiatry to evaluate which of the problems that you have discussed above. Once we identify the problem treatment can begin.
People who liked this also liked:
Article written and provided by Advanced Podiatry