• Merck Manual
• >
• Health Care Professionals
• >
• Musculoskeletal and Connective Tissue Disorders
• >
• Foot and Ankle Disorders
4

Plantar fibromatosis is a benign proliferative neoplasia of the plantar fascia.

In plantar fibromatosis, nodules are displayed most easily when the foot is dorsiflexed against the leg. Most patients also have palmar nodules, usually located at the 4th metacarpophalangeal joint. Reported associations with diabetes, epilepsy, and alcoholism may be anecdotal. Treatment is usually not indicated unless the nodules become large enough to cause pressure-related pain with weight bearing. If so, orthoses can help redistribute pressure away from the fibrotic nodular lesions. Surgery usually results in recurrence and may also result in unintentional instability of the foot when fascial removal is excessive.

Last full review/revision March 2008 by Kendrick Alan Whitney, DPM

Content last modified March 2008