The foot condition known as plantar fibromatosis is rare. A plantar fibroma is a fibrous, hardened area in the shape of a circle that develops in the arch. It is a benign growth, and it may form in both feet. Many patients don't report pain unless they walk barefoot or their shoe pushes against it. A plantar fibroma may occur if an injury has happened to the sole or from the consistent pressure the feet endure while running. Research has indicated it may happen from taking certain medications, such as anti-seizure medicine, beta-blockers, or excessive doses of vitamin C. An MRI is generally performed that can correctly diagnose a plantar fibroma and may be followed with a biopsy. Mild relief may be found when custom-made orthotics are worn, in addition to taking anti-inflammatory medication. If you have discovered a lump on the sole of your foot, it is suggested that you speak to a podiatrist who can accurately diagnose and treat a plantar fibroma.
A plantar fibroma may disrupt your daily activities. If you have any concerns, contact Dr. Eddy Caldwell of Foot Care of Northeast Arkansas, P.A.. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.
Plantar Fibroma
A plantar fibroma is a fibrous knot in the arch of the foot. It is embedded in the plantar fascia which is a band of tissue that extends from the heel to the toes along the bottom of the foot. There can be multiple plantar fibromas in the feet at the same time. There are no known causes for this condition. If you have a plantar fibroma, there will be a bump in the arch of your foot that cannot be missed. Any associated pain is most often due to a shoe rubbing against the nodule. Non-surgical options, such as steroid injections, physical therapy, and orthotics should be tried first. Surgery is a last resort and is the only thing that will remove a plantar fibroma entirely. Consult with a podiatrist for a proper diagnosis and to determine the treatment regimen that is right for you.
What Causes a Plantar Fibroma?
While there are no specific causes identified, a plantar fibroma can possibly come from genetic predisposition or the formation of scar tissue that forms from healing the tears in the plantar fascia.
What Are the Symptoms of a Plantar Fibroma?
There will be a noticeable lump in the arch of the foot that may or may not cause pain. If pain is felt, it is typically because a shoe is rubbing up against the lump or when walking or standing barefoot.
Treatment and Prevention
A plantar fibroma will not disappear without treatment, but it can get smaller and be a non-issue. If pain persists, a podiatrist examines the foot and when the arch of the foot is pressed, pain can be felt down to the toes. An MRI or biopsy might be performed to help diagnose or evaluate the plantar fibroma. The following non-surgical options are generally enough to reduce the size and pain of these nodules:
Steroid injections
Orthotics
Physical therapy to help apply anti-inflammatory creams on the bump
Surgery is considered if the mass increases in size and the patient continues to feel pain after non-surgical methods are tried.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Jonesboro, AR. We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.
During a woman’s pregnancy, she might notice that her feet fall asleep frequently. In other words, she might notice that her feet often experience numbness or a pins-and-needles feeling. This is actually not an uncommon symptom that results from pregnancy. In fact, many women can experience this feeling in the feet at night or immediately upon waking in the morning. The reason why pregnancy can cause numbness in the feet is due to the fact that pregnancy can lead to nerve compression in this area. If you are someone that is pregnant or planning to be, it is suggested that you contact a podiatrist today. This foot specialist will be able to help the pregnant woman navigate feelings of numbness in the feet.
Pregnant women with swollen feet can be treated with a variety of different methods that are readily available. For more information about other cures for swollen feet during pregnancy, consult with Dr. Eddy Caldwell from Foot Care of Northeast Arkansas, P.A.. Our doctor will attend to all of your foot and ankle needs.
What Foot Problems Can Arise During Pregnancy?
One problem that can occur is overpronation, which occurs when the arch of the foot flattens and tends to roll inward. This can cause pain and discomfort in your heels while you’re walking or even just standing up, trying to support your baby.
Another problem is edema, or swelling in the extremities. This often affects the feet during pregnancy but tends to occur in the later stages.
How Can I Keep My Feet Healthy During Pregnancy?
Wearing orthotics can provide extra support for the feet and help distribute weight evenly
Minimize the amount of time spent walking barefoot
Wear shoes with good arch support
Wear shoes that allow for good circulation to the feet
Elevate feet if you experience swelling
Massage your feet
Get regular, light exercise, such as walking, to promote blood circulation to the feet
If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Jonesboro, AR. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.
Hikers toenail is a condition that can be painful, unsightly and a generally unpleasant experience among people who enjoy this activity. It also can lead to other conditions, including fungal infections and misshapen toenails. Symptoms of hikers toenail include a blackened appearance of the nail, which is actually caused by blood forming underneath it. Combined with the warm and moist environment that develops within hiking boots, it is a perfect breeding ground for fungal infections. One of the main causes of hikers toenail is improperly fitting footwear. Specifically, boots that are too short and boots that leave too much room for the foot to slide are the top causes. Both can make the toes push forward against the tip of the boot. If this continues, it can form an ingrown toenail, or it can actually separate the toenail from the nailbed. In most cases, however, the toenails simply become bruised, cracked, and blackened. For treatment of severely bruised toenails, it is suggested that you visit a podiatrist, who is a trained foot doctor and can help to remedy the situation.
Toe pain can disrupt your daily activities. If you have any concerns, contact Dr. Eddy Caldwell of Foot Care of Northeast Arkansas, P.A.. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.
What Causes Toe Pain?
Most severe toe pain is caused due to a sports injury, trauma from dropping something heavy on the toe, or bumping into something rigid. Other problems can develop over time for various reasons.
Toe pain can be caused by one or more ailments. The most common include:
Trauma
Sports injury
Wearing shoes that are too tight
Arthritis
Gout
Corns and calluses
Hammertoe
Bunions
Blisters
Ingrown toenails
Sprains
Fractures (broken bones)
Dislocations
When to See a Podiatrist
Severe pain
Persistent pain that lasts more than a week
Signs of infection
Continued swelling
Pain that prevents walking
Diagnosis
In many cases the cause of toe pain is obvious, but in others, a podiatrist may want to use more advanced methods to determine the problem. These can range from simple visual inspections and sensation tests to X-rays and MRI scans. Prior medical history, family medical history, and any recent physical traumatic events will all be taken into consideration for a proper diagnosis.
Treatment
Treatments for toe pain and injuries vary and may include shoe inserts, padding, taping, medicines, injections, and in some cases, surgery. If you believe that you have broken a toe, please see a podiatrist as soon as possible.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Jonesboro, AR. We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.
