A Lump on top of foot is also considered to be masses of soft tissues that are filled with fluid. According to experts, the painful lump on top of foot comprises a liquid that is clear, sticky, and thick all at the same time. There are also reports that the fluid is similar to a jelly.
If you are currently suffering from a painful bump on top of foot, you should start learning about the condition. In such way, you will know how to address or prevent it in the future. Be reminded that bumps on top of foot may be found in any age group; however, it is more common in women.
Causes of Lumps and Bumps on Top of Foot
In order to determine the correct treatment or approach in addressing hard lump on top of foot, you must identify what caused it.
Based on the type of the hard bump on top of foot, there are various factors related to its development.
1. Ganglion Cyst
You may consider these cysts as soft ones but it may still cause pain. Normally, it may appear on the wrist. However, if you notice your bump on top of foot hurts, it may actually be a ganglion cyst.
The term ganglion actually means knot, which implies that these are masses that are mobile and irregular in shape. Experts often find these cysts in tendons and joints. There are also times that it may affect the bone on top of foot.
What makes this problem more interesting is that it can reappear and disappear. There are reports that may also enlarge and shrink in size. Still, most of the ganglions disappear in a couple of years.
Ganglion Cyst Causes
There is no definite reason why you may have developed a knot on top of foot. A lump on top of foot is suggested to be due to a traumatic incident, which caused the breakdown of joint tissues.
Consequently, small cysts form, which are likely followed by the development of a more observable and larger mass on your foot.
Another theory about the knot on top of foot is the presence of an imperfection in the tendon sheath or joint capsule. As a result, the lump on top of foot develops since the tissue of the joints was allowed to bulge out.
What are the symptoms?
You may notice the bump on top of foot as something that either enlarges or shrinks. Normally, it is around one to three centimeters in size. It does not move. There is also a degree of some pain associated with its presence.
If there is pain associated, this may be due to movements of the joint. You may also consider the condition chronic. There is a possibility of feeling weakness when the mass is attached to a tendon.
Ganglion Cyst Foot Treatment Options
There are a variety of remedies made to address the bump on top of foot. Here are some examples:
- Aspiration. This is when the doctor will get rid of the ganglion cyst’s contents as much as possible with the utilization of syringe and needle. This is a painless and basic procedure.
- Arthroscopic Surgery. This is a keyhole surgery that will use an arthroscope to allow the physician take a look at the affected joint. Afterward, the physician will use instruments to get rid of the cyst.
- Open Surgery. The physician in this procedure creates a medium cut, approximately two inches long, on the affected region. Then, the removal of the cyst will follow.
2. Bone Spurs
By definition, you can also call these bone spurs as osteophytes. These are masses that grow on the bones surrounding the joints or your spine. Normally, patients who are affected by this problem are also suffering from osteoarthritis.
Most cases of bone spurs are found in the foot or heel, neck, big toe, lower back, knee, and shoulder. You can anticipate that this condition will be a problem since it can result in the stiffness and pain development in the joints.
What are the causes?
The most common cause of bone spurs is the metatarsi-cuneiform exostosis. This is a hard bump that develops on the upper part of the foot. The pressure between the medial cuneiform and first metatarsal bones result to its development.
It has been a common theory that when there is added pressure on the bones, it will grow. There is also a possibility for bone spurs to develop when you flatten your foot excessively, which also delivers pressure on the bones.
Other possible causes of bone spurs are tendonitis and osteoarthritis, which cause prolonged inflammation and rubbing of bones. There are also associated ailments that may result in the bumps, such as plantar fasciitis, ankylosing spondylitis, and diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis.
Bone Spurs Symptoms
You must be aware that there are no symptoms associated with bone spurs other than the chronic or intermittent pain, particularly when running, jogging, or walking. The said pain is also common if inflammation is also present.
There are people who report observing a feeling of a pin or knife sticking on the soles of their feet when they get up every morning. This pain changes into a dull ache over time.
Bone Spurs Treatment Options
There also various solutions made to address bone spurs, which include the following:
- Prescription Medicines. There are medications that can manage the irritation and pain associated with bone spurs. Common solutions are muscle relaxant pain medications and anti-inflammatories that must be taken for four to six weeks.
- Rest. Experts believe that taking a break from activities that trigger the pain related to bone spurs is necessary. Tasks everyday may also flare up the joints inflammation, which may hamper your recovery.
- Chiropractic Adjustment. This is helpful in adjusting the joint’s condition and address the pain. The purpose is to bring back the strength and flexibility of your joints.
- Home Remedies. You may use natural solutions to reduce the inflammation and pain, such as ice applications. Stretching exercises may also be helpful.
- Surgery. Although not frequent, it is still performed if your bone spurs are chronically inflamed. Common and advanced procedures are extra-corporal shock wave therapy, radiofrequency ablation, ultrasonic micro debridement, and injections of platelet-rich plasma among others.
Since you are now well-aware of the development of your foot lump, you will be able to handle the condition accordingly. Be reminded that as much as possible, you address it immediately to prevent further pain and inflammation
