Treatment of Plantar Fibromas (childrens Digital Fibromas)
Best hospitals and doctors for plantar fibromas (childrens digital fibromas) treatment abroad
Leading hospitals
Cost for treatment
Municipal Hospital Karlsruhe
Department of Adult and Pediatric Traumatology, Orthopedic Surgery, Hand and Foot Surgery
University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden
Department of Pediatric Surgery
University Hospital Frankfurt am Main
Department of Adult and Pediatric Trauma, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery
University Hospital Würzburg
Department of Traumatology, Hand Surgery, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
University Hospital Erlangen
Department of Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgery, Adult and Pediatric Hand Surgery
University Hospital of Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich
Department of Adult and Pediatric Orthopedics, Foot Surgery
University Hospital Duesseldorf
Department of Adult and Pediatric Traumatology, Hand Surgery
University Hospital Jena
Department of Adult and Pediatric Trauma, Hand, Reconstructive Surgery
University Hospital Rechts der Isar Munich
Department of Adult and Pediatric Plastic Surgery, Hand Surgery
University Hospital Muenster
Department of Adult and Pediatric Traumatology, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery
University Hospital Essen
Department of Adult and Pediatric Orthopedics and Traumatology
University Hospital Giessen UKGM
Department of Adult and Pediatric Trauma Surgery, Hand Surgery, Reconstructive Surgery
University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf
Department of Adult and Pediatric Orthopedics
University Hospital Saarland Homburg
Department of Adult and Pediatric Traumatology, Hand Surgery
Asklepios Childrens Hospital Sankt Augustin
Department of Pediatric Surgery and Urology
Plantar fibroma is a benign growth that develops in the arch of the foot. This non-cancerous growth develops in the plantar fascia (the band of fibrous tissue that connects the toes to the heel). Plantar fibroma grows very slowly, in the form of a nodule that is rarely larger than 2 cm and can develop in one or both feet.
At first, the bump on the foot does not cause any serious discomfort. However, if it starts to grow, plantar fibroma can cause pain and discomfort, especially when walking or running. The bump may also cause pain by rubbing against footwear.
Some researchers believe that a genetic predisposition can cause plantar fibroma, but this has not yet been confirmed. According to healthline, it is more common among people living in Northern Europe, particularly among middle-aged people and males in general. In some cases, trauma of the plantar fascia tissue seems to have caused plantar fibroma to develop later on, although the connection between the two has not been proven categorically. People whose tissue contains excessive amounts of collagen also seem to be more likely to develop nodules. Excessive collagen can occur with the over-consumption of certain drugs, such as beta-blockers and vitamin C.
- A painful, nodule-like bump on the bottom of the foot
- The bump may cause further pain by rubbing against footwear
- During a general examination, the doctor will palpate the patient’s foot, to determine the nature of the bump.
- Palpation can determine whether the bump is a cyst or a nodule. Granulomas can sometimes manifest themselves in a similar way.
- MRI and bone scans allow doctors to examine the bump more closely and determine its size, exact location and consistency. These imaging tests are also helpful in determining whether it is a nodule or a cyst.
- An X-ray may also be performed.
- A biopsy can be useful in cases where malignancy is suspected. Tissue from the bump is resected, in order to be examined under the microscope.
- Topical treatment may be the best option, if the bump caused by plantar fibroma is not growing and does not cause much discomfort. The topical treatment needs to be applied for several months to be beneficial.
- Corticosteroids may also be prescribed, to reduce the pain in the foot.
- Patients are advised to undergo physical therapy to increase blood circulation, which should prevent further nodules from developing.
- Surgical resection may be necessary in serious cases, to remove the bump and normalize the function of the plantar fascia tissue. The recovery period can take one to two months.
Authors: Dr. Vadim Zhiliuk, Dr. Sergey Pashchenko