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I keep getting a lump (about the size of a grape) on the top of my foot close to the ankle. This is very painful and keeps recurring. Sometimes It can be 2 weeks before it recurs, but on other occasions it returns after only a couple of days. I'm not able to put weight on my foot when suffering with this condition and have had to take time off work to recover on a number of occasions now.

When it flares up I elevate and ice pack my foot, and this seems to help. Over the next 24/48 hours the lump has gone again. What could this be and why is it causing me pain?

Thank you.

Dear Wippydee,

Thank you for your post. I'm to hear you are in pain with your foot lump, that must be very uncomfortable for you.

It is quite hard for me to diagnose without seeing the lump. It sounds like it could be a ganglion or cyst from its location, which is a soft tissue mass that occurs spontaneously. However the best way to diagnose it would be for you to make an appointment to see your GP or a chiropodist.

These lumps can cause pain when their size causes irritation from the shoe or if they are near a nerve. They can also cause a dull pain or ache if they lie near a tendon or joint.

Please do make an appointment to get this lump looked at.

Kind regards,

Justine

Thank you Justine, I very much appreciate you taking the time to respond. My doctor has confirmed that it is a ganglion cyst. He suggests that the pain is caused when it 'erupts' as it is near a nerve. He has referred me to a specialist but tells me that this will take months before I can be seen. How can I manage this condition until I'm seen? Can you suggest any self management techniques? I'm unable to walk due to the pain and this can last for 24/48 hours until it subsides. I've had regular episodes, today being the latest one, and don't feel that it will ever settle down. I'd be grateful for any further advice please.

Regards

Hello again,

I am glad you have got your diagnosis and that you are awaiting for referral. Although I can appreciate this doesn't help you right now.

After much research, I believe the best things you can do to manage your condition are to take suitable painkillers (ask your local pharmacist for more advice) and in some cases, modifying your shoes or how you lace them can relieve the pain associated with ganglion cysts.

There are many other traditional 'therapies' listed on the internet but unfortunately they are not evidenced based and could in fact make the cyst worse so it is best to try leave the cyst alone if you can.

Is there any way you could use a dressing, such as a melolin, which can provide extra padding to try protect the ganglion cyst so it doesn't rub?

I hope you find some relief from your pain and I hope your referral comes through quickly!

Best wishes,

Justine