Foot Bump Detective Time Detective stories have been a classic genre for a few hundred years now, including such greats as the Sherlock Holmes stories in the late 1800s and the Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple stories by Agatha Christie in the early 20th century. People enjoy a good mystery: following the clues, ruling out suspects, discovering the culprit, and so forth. Sometimes detective work is exactly what you need to diagnose a foot issue. Problems like a bony bump on the top of the foot could be many different things. Following the “clues” helps you get an accurate diagnosis and the right treatment.
A hard, bony bump is usually a bone spur. This is simply excess bone tissue that grows outward and creates a lump you can feel. Sometimes this causes pain, particularly when you’re wearing shoes or otherwise pressing on the raised spot. You might notice stiffness in your foot, too, particularly if the problem is around a joint. You develop this bump on the top of your foot for many different reasons:
Abnormal Motion in a Joint – Abnormal biomechanics may wear on bones and encourage spur growth, especially if there’s already arthritis there. This is most common on top of the big toe, though the front of the ankle can also develop the problem. Trauma – After a fracture or dislocation, especially if it was severe or multiple injuries happened in the same place, the bones may be prone to bumps and extra growth. Bone Diseases – Bone infections and tumors may create hard bumps. Normal Aging – As you get older, your bones sometimes develop little extra tissue in small bumps. Each of these potential culprits leaves behind various “clues” or symptoms to help experts like Dr. Darren Silvester and our team at Next Step Foot& Ankle Center in Pleasanton, TX, diagnose it. Exactly where on the top of the foot the growth develops may narrow down the potential suspects. Your biomechanics, previous injuries, or signs of infection can all point toward an accurate diagnosis. Let us help you get the care you need. Use our website to make an appointment with us, or call our office at (830) 569-3338.
