January 2023

Patients who notice a lump on the sole of their foot will often visit a podiatrist for a proper diagnosis. It may be a plantar fibroma, which develops in the plantar fascia along the bottom of the foot. A plantar fibroma is considered to be a rare and benign condition but it can be painful as shoes that are worn press against the offending lump. Additionally, pain and discomfort may be felt when standing for extended periods, or when walking barefoot. Research has indicated there is no cure for this condition so many patients will take steps to reduce the pain. This may be achieved by using oral or injected steroids, in addition to extracorporeal shockwave therapy, known as ESWT. If you have this condition, it is strongly urged that you are under the care of a podiatrist who can determine the best course of treatment. 

A plantar fibroma may disrupt your daily activities. If you have any concerns, contact Brian D. Jackson, DPM of Neuhaus Foot and Ankle. 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 one of our offices located in Columbia and Pulaski, TN . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

Maffucci syndrome is a disorder that mostly affects bones and skin. It is characterized by multiple enchondromas, or noncancerous growths of cartilage, that develop within bones. These growths usually occur in the limb bones, especially on the hands and feet. Enchondromas can result in severe bone deformities, shortening limbs, and fractures. Maffucci syndrome may be detectable at birth but is usually not seen until around age 5. The enchondromas develop near the ends of bones, where normal growth occurs. They typically stop growing when an individual stops growing in early adulthood. Because of bone deformities with this syndrome, people with this condition usually have a short stature and underdeveloped muscles. Though the enchondromas start benign, they can cause bone cancer and an increase in other cancers. If you are pregnant and your child has Maffucci syndrome affecting their feet, consult with a podiatrist who can help you navigate this affliction.

Some foot conditions may require additional professional care. If you have any concerns, contact Brian D. Jackson, DPM of Neuhaus Foot and Ankle. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Rare Foot Conditions

The majority of foot conditions are common and can be treated by a podiatrist.  Standard diagnostic procedures are generally used to identify specific conditions and treatment can be rendered. A podiatrist also treats rare foot conditions which can be difficult to diagnose and may need extra attention and care. 

There are many rare foot conditions that can affect children. Some of these can include:

• Freiberg’s disease
• Kohler’s disease
• Maffucci syndrome

Freiberg’s disease - This can be seen as a deterioration and flattening of a metatarsal bone that exists in the ball of the foot. It typically affects pre-teen and teenage girls, but can affect anyone at any age. Symptoms that can accompany this can be swelling, stiffness, and the patient may limp. 

Kohler’s disease - This often targets the bone in the arch of the foot and affects younger boys. It can lead to an interruption of the blood supply which ultimately can lead to bone deterioration. The patient may limp or experience tenderness, swelling, and redness.

Maffucci syndrome - This affects the long bones in a child’s foot leading to the development of abnormal bone lesions. They are benign growths and typically develop in early childhood and the bones may be susceptible to breaking. 

A podiatrist can properly diagnose and treat all types of rare foot conditions. If your child is affected by any of these symptoms or conditions, please don’t hesitate to call our office so the correct treatment method can begin.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Columbia and Pulaski, TN . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.
 

Any kind of foot cramp usually grabs our attention, mainly because it interferes with carrying out the activities of the day. If foot cramps start to become an ongoing occurrence, it may be a good idea to question why they are happening. One common cause of foot cramps is wearing shoes that are too tight. The reason is likely to be that blood circulation to the feet is being blocked. Cramps in the feet may also be the result of dehydration, which keeps the muscles from getting the water they need to function properly. This may be caused by an underlying condition or an infection. Overdoing exercise may result in foot cramps as the feet work extra hard to maintain your balance. Athletes, dancers, and workers who stand for long periods may experience this reaction. Among the other possible causes of foot cramps are pregnancy, low levels of electrolytes and other minerals, and nerve damage. If foot cramps become more frequent or severe, it is a good idea to visit a podiatrist who can determine the cause and offer ways to prevent or lessen them.

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with Brian D. Jackson, DPM from Neuhaus Foot and Ankle. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Causes

Foot pain is a very broad condition that could be caused by one or more ailments. The most common include:

• Bunions
• Hammertoes
• Plantar Fasciitis
• Bone Spurs
• Corns
• Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
• Ingrown Toenails
• Arthritis (such as Gout, Rheumatoid, and Osteoarthritis)
• Flat Feet
• Injury (from stress fractures, broken toe, foot, ankle, Achilles tendon ruptures, and sprains)
• And more

Diagnosis

To figure out the cause of foot pain, podiatrists utilize several different methods. This 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

Treatment depends upon the cause of the foot pain. Whether it is resting, staying off the foot, or having surgery; podiatrists have a number of treatment options available for foot pain.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Columbia and Pulaski, TN . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Shopping for footwear can be challenging, because the size of shoe that is right for you may not be a clear-cut number. For that reason, it is imperative that you measure your feet properly. Measuring the feet includes both the length and the width of your foot, because a pair of shoes that fits the length may not fit the width. Most shoe stores have measuring devices. When you stand on your foot, it will expand to give you a more accurate measure. Note also that one foot may be slightly larger than the other. Also, as you get older your foot size may change. More rigid leather and more flexible mesh shoes may fit your foot differently. So at some point, the actual size can become less important than the fit. The height of the heel also can play a part in how the shoe fits. About one-half an inch of space is recommended at the tip of the shoe with a higher heel, because the toes will be pushed forward when you stand. In addition, foot deformities, such as bunions or hammertoes, also play a role in the fit of your shoe. For information about choosing the right size shoe for your feet, please consult a podiatrist.

It is important to find shoes that fit you properly in order to avoid a variety of different foot problems. For more information about treatment, contact Brian D. Jackson, DPM from Neuhaus Foot and Ankle. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Proper Shoe Fitting

Shoes have many different functions. They cushion our body weight, protect our feet, and allow us to safely play sports. You should always make sure that the shoes you wear fit you properly in order to avoid injuries and deformities such as: bunions, corns, calluses, hammertoes, plantar fasciitis, stress fractures, and more. It is important to note that although a certain pair of shoes might be a great fit for someone else, that doesn’t mean they will be a great fit for you. This is why you should always try on shoes before buying them to make sure they are worth the investment. Typically, shoes need to be replaced ever six months to one year of regular use.

Tips for Proper Shoe Fitting

• Select a shoe that is shaped like your foot
• Don’t buy shoes that fit too tight, expecting them to stretch to fit
• Make sure there is enough space (3/8” to ½”) for your longest toe at the end of each shoe when you are standing up
• Walk in the shoes to make sure they fit and feel right
• Don’t select shoes by the size marked inside the shoe, but by how the shoe fits your foot

The shoes you buy should always feel as good as they look. Shoes that fit properly will last longer, feel better, and improve your way of life each day.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Columbia and Pulaski, TN . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.