Plantar Wart
Definition
Fibrous nodule formation in the plantar fascia, generally in the highest part of the arch. The fibroma can be solitary or multiple. The mass is benign, with slow growth rate. A very similar disease touches the hands and is called Dupuytren disease.
Symptoms:
When the fibroma is small, there is usually no pain associated to it. When the mass becomes bigger, incomfort or pain can be elicited because of pressure in the shoe or by compression of a nerve underneath the mass, depending on where the mass is located.
Causes:
The exact cause is not completely proven on a scientific basis but the most accepted theory is that: the tension in the plantar fascia or traumatism stimulates the body to overact and produce scar tissue, more than normally and forms the nodule. Other risk factors have been related such as: genetic, diabetes, epilepsy and alcoholism.
Treatments:
- Plantar orthotic device to limit tension in the plantar fascia and offload the fibroma to prevent symptoms and delay the progression of the pathology
- injections
- surgery ( is not recommended because of very high rate of reoccurrence)