Soft Tissue Masses

Soft-tissue masses are nonbony lumps that can be cancerous but, in most cases, aren’t. To find out what’s causing your mass, call one of Capital Foot & Ankle’s offices in Sacramento, Roseville, or Folsom, California. Their team of highly skilled foot doctors can determine what kind of mass you have and recommend effective treatments. Call Capital Foot & Ankle today or book an appointment online for timely soft-tissue mass treatment.

What are soft-tissue masses?

Soft-tissue masses are lumps or growths on or under your skin that can be large or small, soft or firm, painless or uncomfortable. Some are caused by soft-tissue swelling, others by fatty tissue, sacs of fluid, and nerve, blood vessel, or muscle enlargement.

Finding a lump on your foot or ankle might alarm you, but very few are cancerous. Nevertheless, visit the skilled podiatrists at Capital Foot & Ankle if you develop a soft-tissue mass.

What soft-tissue masses might develop on the feet?

Soft-tissue masses that can appear on your feet include:

Ganglion cysts

Ganglion cysts are firm, rubbery lumps on the top of your foot. Cysts contain fluid and can quickly grow or shrink. They appear in weak tissues, usually near a joint, often developing suddenly.

Giant cell tumors

Giant cell tumors are noncancerous tendon sheath growths, usually affecting the soles and tops of your feet and toes. Giant cell tumors can be painful and interfere with foot tendon function.

Mucous cysts

Mucous cysts are small masses near a weak joint capsule. They can feel rubbery and are often swollen and usually appear on the joint below the toenail.

Plantar fibromas

Plantar fibromas are noncancerous, rubbery lumps on your plantar fascia — the tough supportive band of tissue running along the bottom of your foot. Plantar fibromas often make walking painful.

How are soft-tissue masses diagnosed?

The Capital Foot & Ankle team reviews your medical history and symptoms to diagnose soft-tissue masses. Then they complete a physical exam, assessing the lump’s consistency and any discomfort it causes.

Your foot doctor can also do X-rays in their office to get a better look at the foot’s interior structure. In some cases, an MRI or CT scan will be needed.

Sometimes, the team does a soft-tissue biopsy, removing a small soft-tissue sample and sending it to the lab for a microscopic exam. This can detect cancer cells and other abnormalities if they’re present.

How are soft-tissue masses treated?

If your soft-tissue mass isn’t cancerous and doesn’t cause any pain, you don’t need treatment. But if it’s uncomfortable, your foot doctor might:

• Drain the fluid from the cyst
• Inject steroid medication
• Relieve pressure with padding
• Fit custom orthotics (supportive shoe inserts)

Surgical removal might be necessary depending on the kind of soft-tissue mass you have.

Call Capital Foot & Ankle today or book an appointment online to receive expert soft-tissue mass diagnosis and treatment.