Plantar Fibroma
Medical Considerations for Plantar Fibroma
A recent study co-authored by IPFH Scientific Advisory Board Member Rock Positano, DPM, MSc, MPH showed that among patients presenting with plantar heel pain, plantar fasciitis was diagnosed in 73%, and plantar fibromas were found in 51%. Additionally, concurrent plantar fibroma and plantar fascial thickening was found in 36%. Of the feet that were negative for plantar fasciitis on ultrasound, 57% revealed the presence of plantar fibroma. The study showed that diagnostic ultrasound is an effective and safe method for diagnosing various types of heel pain. Some heel conditions, plantar fibromas among them, cannot be determined by clinical examination alone, and, therefore, ultrasound evaluation is desirable for confirmations of diagnoses.
Since a plantar fibroma is benign, it is not cause for alarm; but always talk to your doctor if you have soreness, pain, redness, swelling or other indications of problems in any area of the foot that persist for more than a few days. It is also important to be aware of potential complications of surgery, described in the previous section, if you choose to have a painful fibroma removed.
Reviewed by: Robert P. Thompson, C.Ped, IPFH Scientific Advisory Board
Last updated: June 9, 2016