I Have A Hard Lump On Top Of My Foot

It's likely you've heard of ganglion cysts, soft, squishy lumps that appear on your feet. But maybe you've

noticed on the top of your foot a hard, bony bump. That certainly doesn't sound like it's a ganglion cyst, does it?
Because it's not! So what is this hard bump then? It's called a saddle bone deformity, or a metatarsal cuneiform exostosis. You're probably thinking to yourself, "But I've never ridden a horse before or come anywhere near a saddle! So how did I get this deformity?"
This deformity gets its name from where it appears on the foot. That fancy medical name tells us that it's on the metatarsals, the long bones that connect to our toes; cuneiforms are joints at the base of the metatarsal at midfoot; exostosis is a bony growth. So, we get the saddle name because this bony growth "saddles" the peak of the arch.
So how did you get it? Do you have high arches? Those with high arches are prone to this deformity, as well

as those with poor foot mechanics. If you've had an injury to this area before, you foot may develop the deformity. Finally, if the cuneiform joint moves around a lot, the bone may have formed to stop the joint from moving.
The bone buildup of the saddle bone deformity is typically not painful. However, it is the complications caused by the condition that make it uncomfortable. You'll find it difficult to put on shoes. During the summer, when you're likely to have open-toed shoes on, you'll feel it less, but with cooler weather and closed-toe shoes, your foot will hurt. This is because the shoe not only presses down on the bony bump, but also the peroneal tendon below. You may experience arch pain in your first and second toes.
To tell if you have a saddle bone deformity, try the Tinel's sign. Take your index and middle fingers and lightly tap the bump. If you have the deformity, you'll feel a tingling sensation around the top of your foot or in your toes. This is because of the pressure on the peroneal nerve.
If you're not experiencing a lot of pain, I would recommend changing your shoes to ones that do not rub or irritate your feet. However, if you are experiencing a lot of pain, your podiatrist will recommend removing the bony growth. It's a procedure that lasts less than one hour and you'll be able to put pressure on your foot immediately, which is unlike most foot surgeries. It will take up to six weeks to heal, but you'll feel better than new afterward!
Reference: eHow and Healing Feet.
If you have a foot deformity, call our Glastonbury or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Ayman M. Latif, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Foot Deformity Doctor in CT
Podiatrist in Glastonbury and Middletown, CT
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