Bone Spurs and Ganglion Cysts

For the past several months, I've had a small lump on the top of my right foot that is extremely tender. When I rub it, a strange sensation that feels like "pins and needles" runs down my foot to my toes. I am a skater and lately I've only been able to skate for three minutes at a time without pain. After working out, the pain radiates to my ankle and lower leg. What is this?

Dr. Johnny L. Lin:

A "bump" on the top of your foot is likely one of the following: a small bone spur or a small non-cancerous benign cyst called a ganglion cyst. The "pins and needles" feeling you are experiencing is the result of irritation to the nerves that run over the bump on the top of your foot. This is a common symptom with these types of bone spurs and cysts. Wearing tight shoes, which constrict the area over the top of the foot, can exacerbate this injury. This may explain why it hurts when skates are worn, due to their constrictive nature.

Treatment Options:

Without knowing the extent of your injury, it's difficult to prescribe an exact treatment regimen. I would first recommend visiting an orthopaedic specialist for an evaluation. This way you can rule out any possible problems with non-benign cysts. If in fact the injury is a bone spur or ganglion cyst, your physician may recommend a "donut." This device is used in the treatment of bone spur and cyst injuries, and works to relieve the pressure from the constricted area. You can buy a donut at most drug stores or have your orthopaedic physician fit one for you.

Also, it never does any harm to administer R.I.C.E treatment: Rest, Ice, Compress, and Elevate your injured foot.

For more information about Dr. Lin and the Sports Medicine physicians of Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush, call 877 MD BONES or contact us through this Web site.

This information is not intended as a substitute for the professional advice of your physician, nor to be a complete description of every aspect of a condition, nor a complete list of possible side effects of any medication. Decisions concerning your treatment should be based on your own health care provider's evaluation of your personal health history and current condition. Consult your physician before following any of the suggestions on this Web site. All articles on this Web site represent the personal opinions of the individual authors and should not be construed as official policy of Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush.