Plantar Fibroma

A plantar fibroma is a condensed growth of fibrous tissue which is rather like scar tissue and very hard. A plantar fibroma occurs on the sole of the foot usually within the plantar fascia (a strong ligament like structure that runs from the heel to the toes which helps to support the foot).

The term 'plantar' is derived from Latin and it means the bottom of the foot. It doesn't have any other meaning other than telling you the location of the problem.

The term 'fibroma' is composed of two parts. The first part refers to the fibrous tissue that makes up the plantar arch. The second part '-oma' refers to a benign lesion.

The word benign means that the growth can get bigger and cause pain, but that it will never spread to other parts of the body to cause problems elsewhere.

Treatment for plantar fibroma ranges from a cortisone shot into the lump to discourage it from growing anymore. These can also be removed surgically, but there is about a 20% chance of re-growth.

There are other conditions that can cause a lump on the bottom of the foot, namely plantar warts, seed corns, calluses, porokeratoses and others.