Fibroma

Fibromas are often painful fibrous lumps that can form anywhere in the foot. Plantar fibroma is a common condition where such lumps form within a long ligament at the base of the foot called the plantar fascia or plantar aponeurosis.

Non-invasive treatment includes redistributive orthoses but sometimes invasive treatments are required. Surgery can be undertaken and this generally involves removing a larger section of the fascia to avoid recurrence. Simply removing the fibroma without a large margin of "normal tissue" tends to result in recurrence. Fibromas can also be injected and the centre has started to use a revolutionary new technique involving cryosurgery which is minimally invasive allowing rapid return to activity with minimal risks.

Plantar fibroma

This is a condition where often painful fibrous nodules form within the arch of the foot. The nodules arise from within a structure called the plantar aponeurosis (plantar fascia). The nodules can be removed by means of surgery, but there is a risk of recurrence which can be reduced by removing an additional larger area of normal tissue from around the fibroma.

The London Podiatry Centre offers a new form of minimally invasive treatment using cryosurgery, to treat plantar fibromas. Here, a 2mm incision is made in the skin to allow for the placement of small probe through which the fibroma can be frozen. The procedure offers a far less invasive approach towards the treatment of the condition with little to no time from work and minimal risk of complication.

For more information about cryosurgery at the London Podiatry Centre, please see cryosurgery.co.uk.