Very painful lump on the sole of the foot - any experiences

[sarahsch]

I'm wondering if any of you have experience of a small, hard, lump on the sole of the foot. Very painful under pressure & to walk on.It has come on spontaneously. This is a repeat of a lump earlier in the year. On that occasion it grew over a period of a few days & just as I was finding the pain on walking intolerable it shrank away to nothing.

I'm wondering if this is related to CTDs. I have an overlap of Lupus & Scleroderma symptoms.

Doubly confusing as I am recovering from surgery to form a new big toe joint on that foot after mine was damaged by osteoarthritis. So I have been walking very little & in soft supportive trainers.

Sarah x

[LadyTrundle]

Could it be calcinosis? In me, calcinosis seems to form spontaneously after a bit of trauma - like accidentally bumping my finger too hard on the light switch! Maybe your operation was interpreted as trauma by your body?

[sarahsch in reply to LadyTrundle]

Thanks for your reply.I do have calcinosis on my thigh of all places. That's what I thought this was first time around, but it went away which I wasn't sure calcinosis did. The first occurrence predated the operation.

I also posted on Lupus UK and have had a response suggesting Morton's neuroma which can come & go. Dx by X-ray.

I guess an X-ray could differentiate calcinosis from Mortons neuroma, but the GPs are overrun by heighten concerns over Strep A at the moment & it might have gone before I get an appointment. I might need to wait and see.

Take care,

Sarah x

[LadyTrundle in reply to sarahsch]

Good luck Sarah. It's easy to panic, but like you I try to understand that the GPs are flat out, and naturally parents also panic about their children. My sister is a GP so she keeps reminding me!

[momo17 in reply to sarahsch]

hi Sarah. I have the exact same on left foot. On right I have Morton’s neuroma but on left it was diagnosed by podiatrist as just a pressure point. I got insoles made. An eye watering £320 but at least I can put my foot down. I wouldn’t say they’re amazing but he said it was probably as good as it gets with my issues. He said that the fat on pads of feet had been lost due to scleroderma. Apparently it’s a common thing. He took a 3d snapshot of my foot before making the soles so they were designed to take pressure off the areas of pain. Might be worth a try. It’s a horrible thing. I honestly thought that was it - I wouldn’t walk again but altho I’m still limited I’m managing a bit better now. Take care

[sarahsch in reply to momo17]

Thanks momo17, that's a possibility. I had difficulty with walking because of little padding on my feet early on in the disease course. Also affected my hands.The feet padding has either got better or I have become accustom to it & adjust foot wear accordingly. But the hands still give me problems opening stiff door handles, jars etc.

I think I might email the GP so they are aware I have an issue. At least that way when I do get to see them they will have a record of me having it for a while which seems to be a requirement for getting a referral. Also due at the Royal Free in the New Year so I'll add it to the list.

Sarah x

[momo17 in reply to sarahsch]

Yeah definitely worth mentioning. That’s good you’ve got appointment soon. Good luck n take care x

[KatieAnna]

Hi, I had a similar problem and my GP thought it was Mortons Neuroma but the scan in hospital showed something called transfer metatarsalgia, which is where the arch in one of the metatarsal bones drops so there's pressure on the bone on walking. I was referred to podiatry by the rheumatologist and have special insoles with a bulb in the middle which is a lump on the insole which pushes the bone upwards again. I can now walk miles, pain-free as long as I use it. It's bulky so I wear very roomy and sensible shoes, which makes dressing up a bit of an issue. I hope you get seen quickly so you can get the right diagnosis. X

[sarahsch in reply to KatieAnna]

Hi KatieAnna,Metatarsalgis - that's a new one on me!

Just goes to show how many things it could be. Was the scan x-ray, ultrasound or something else?

Sarah x

[KatieAnna]

It was ultra sound. Something about a lack of fat compressing the nerve ruled out the Neuroma. Good luck with your diagnosis. The pain was really awful and burning on walking anywhere 😣x

[NYLH]

I have C.R.E.S.T. and have a very painful small hard lump on ball of right foot. Was referred to podiatrist who told me to file it and it would disappear. I file it after every shower, and can sometimes pick out the hard lump. Gives relief for a short time then returns within days. Have had it a few years now.

[sarahsch in reply to NYLH]

Thanks for your reply. Your foot sounds painful. I assume it's a calcium deposit.My lump is going down again now. Whilst I have calcium deposits on my thigh, they're permanent. So I am thinking the foot lump is something else. I'll discuss it with my doctor next month.

Take care,

Sarah x

[Morganalefaye]

Yes, I’ve got one on the side of my leg, just above the ankle, and also a smaller one on the sole of my foot. VERY painful!