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Lump on foot, Osteochondroma surgery??
Hi all!
I have had a lump on my foot for nearly a year now; I've been through hell with the diagonisis. They're still not 100% positive what it is, however, they are removing it in early January. They've called it an Osteochondroma and it's located on my 2nd metarsal.
I know I'm not allowed to do vigorous activity for about 6 - 8 weeks afterward and it requires some time on crutches; other then that, I know nothing. I was hoping someone could give me an idea? Just about the surgery, pain, etc? I have no idea what I'm in for...he just was a bit worried about the surgery because he'd have to move my nerve and an artery aside to get to the area. Also, this is an outpatient procedure - is that normal? (It just seems that in my research a hospital stay was involved??)
If you could give me any information about this procedure I would greatly appreciate it.
Thanks so much!
I have had a lump on my foot for nearly a year now; I've been through hell with the diagonisis. They're still not 100% positive what it is, however, they are removing it in early January. They've called it an Osteochondroma and it's located on my 2nd metarsal.
I know I'm not allowed to do vigorous activity for about 6 - 8 weeks afterward and it requires some time on crutches; other then that, I know nothing. I was hoping someone could give me an idea? Just about the surgery, pain, etc? I have no idea what I'm in for...he just was a bit worried about the surgery because he'd have to move my nerve and an artery aside to get to the area. Also, this is an outpatient procedure - is that normal? (It just seems that in my research a hospital stay was involved??)
If you could give me any information about this procedure I would greatly appreciate it.
Thanks so much!
Hi Jain,
I noticed a lump on my right foot on the inside at the top, a little further back to where a bunion would be. It's about the use of a pea, it's hard, doesn't hurt and I can move it! Is this something to worry about ie cancer? I'm a nervous wreck!
Nikki
X
I noticed a lump on my right foot on the inside at the top, a little further back to where a bunion would be. It's about the use of a pea, it's hard, doesn't hurt and I can move it! Is this something to worry about ie cancer? I'm a nervous wreck!
Nikki
X
hey guys my doctur says i may need to have surgery im 12 and a girl whos nervous and all i havd to have alot of xrays ct scans mris and now nov 9th 2011 have to go back to get mopre xrays then if my ankle is still now healing theiey are doing the nsurgeruy and my ankle szhcuda healld by ow but hassnt email picutres of cast so ik know wat to expect and all tips pain and email me at.....: ***@****
Hi! I came on this site because my granddaughter may have osteochondroma on her foot. She's only five. I got very caught up in your situation. I hope you are doing better! Can you give us an update?
Concerned
Concerned
Hi everyone.
So it has been nearly four months since my surgery and absolutely nothing has changed. My scab just finally healed a few days ago. I have all the tingling and numbness and I have killer pain every day. I cannot touch the area or go on my toes, or god forbid, drop something on it without ending up in sobs or near vomit from the pain. I cannot wear shoes, I usually wear flats (ones with the open top) so the lump doesn't ahve to touch anything. None of the swelling has remotely gone away and I'm more convinced then ever that it is not a hematoma because a friend of mine tripped and stepped directly on top of it (worst half an hour of my life) and around the scar bruised, but it is still the same as ever. I'm really becoming worried. Could this be serious? Could this be cancer? Should I go to a hospital? I saw my family doc and she sent me for a xray and told me to keep on my surgeons secretary to move up my appointment but the earliest I could get is July 27th, and the wait list is massive. I'm not sure I can last til then. Please give me some advice!
So it has been nearly four months since my surgery and absolutely nothing has changed. My scab just finally healed a few days ago. I have all the tingling and numbness and I have killer pain every day. I cannot touch the area or go on my toes, or god forbid, drop something on it without ending up in sobs or near vomit from the pain. I cannot wear shoes, I usually wear flats (ones with the open top) so the lump doesn't ahve to touch anything. None of the swelling has remotely gone away and I'm more convinced then ever that it is not a hematoma because a friend of mine tripped and stepped directly on top of it (worst half an hour of my life) and around the scar bruised, but it is still the same as ever. I'm really becoming worried. Could this be serious? Could this be cancer? Should I go to a hospital? I saw my family doc and she sent me for a xray and told me to keep on my surgeons secretary to move up my appointment but the earliest I could get is July 27th, and the wait list is massive. I'm not sure I can last til then. Please give me some advice!
Hi,
Your symptom of tingling and numbness following a touch suggests that the swelling is compressing the nerve supplying big toe.
Again your feeling of not having any feeling in your big toe suggests that it might be due to nerve dysfunction.
The arch being higher up can only affect nerve supply.
I think you should be meeting up your PCP and ask him for an X-ray of the region.
Keep me informed if you have any queries.
Bye.
Your symptom of tingling and numbness following a touch suggests that the swelling is compressing the nerve supplying big toe.
Again your feeling of not having any feeling in your big toe suggests that it might be due to nerve dysfunction.
The arch being higher up can only affect nerve supply.
I think you should be meeting up your PCP and ask him for an X-ray of the region.
Keep me informed if you have any queries.
Bye.
I'm doing alright, just very upset over this whole overdeal. If a hematoma is soft to the touch, then this lump is probably not a hematoma. I sincerly doubt I can do either of your suggestions; we only have two othro people in town and the waiting list is huge (14 months - I saw the doctor after 4 months as my family doctor is friends with the guy, and she convinced him to move me up the waiting list as they thought we were dealing with cancer at first), and when I went to see him the other day, he basically told me to quit worrying, and if I was still unhappy in four months, to make an appt then.
I could go see my family doctor??
The swelling itself isnt all that bad...there is defintely soft tissue around the hard lump, and there's a little bit at the bottoms of my toes, but its not too bad. It hasn't grown, as far as I've noticed. However I still can't wear shoes but that is more linked to the lump on the foot, and because it hurts the incision. Something else I neglected to inform you of is that when I touch the lump, it tingles in my big toe. I mean it hurts, but any pressure, even a light tap results in tingles in my big toe. Which is a bit odd because I don't have any feeling in the big toe and the area leading up to my incision from my big toe. It could be totally random, but I figured I'd mention it.
I noticed today that the arch on my affected foot is significantly higher than the arch on the other foot, could this affect it?
I'm hoping you have some more insight, but thanks so much for everything you've done thus far!
I could go see my family doctor??
The swelling itself isnt all that bad...there is defintely soft tissue around the hard lump, and there's a little bit at the bottoms of my toes, but its not too bad. It hasn't grown, as far as I've noticed. However I still can't wear shoes but that is more linked to the lump on the foot, and because it hurts the incision. Something else I neglected to inform you of is that when I touch the lump, it tingles in my big toe. I mean it hurts, but any pressure, even a light tap results in tingles in my big toe. Which is a bit odd because I don't have any feeling in the big toe and the area leading up to my incision from my big toe. It could be totally random, but I figured I'd mention it.
I noticed today that the arch on my affected foot is significantly higher than the arch on the other foot, could this affect it?
I'm hoping you have some more insight, but thanks so much for everything you've done thus far!
Hi,
How are you feeling?
I am sorry to say but hematoma is soft to touch even if it has scar tissue covering it. If you feel it is as hard as bone, I think you can do two things.
Firstly you can change an orthopedician and get a review opinion.
Secondly, push the same doctor to do at least a scan i.e. ultrasound to determine the consistency of swelling or an X-ray to see what is it.
How is your swelling? Is it same size or growing?
Keep me informed if you have any queries.
Bye.
How are you feeling?
I am sorry to say but hematoma is soft to touch even if it has scar tissue covering it. If you feel it is as hard as bone, I think you can do two things.
Firstly you can change an orthopedician and get a review opinion.
Secondly, push the same doctor to do at least a scan i.e. ultrasound to determine the consistency of swelling or an X-ray to see what is it.
How is your swelling? Is it same size or growing?
Keep me informed if you have any queries.
Bye.
So I saw the doctor today, and he told me it was most likely a hematoma with scar tissue covering it, and that if I still wasn't happy, to come back in four months. I'm not sure that I'm okay with this diagonosis. I know hematomas can feel hard, but this lump on my foot, it feels like bone. Can a hematoma really feel that hard?
Hi,
How are you feeling?
I am surprised to hear from you that the swelling which you always used to talk about, for which you have got surgery done for removal is still there. It is unbelievable.
Is it another bone spur which was noticed earlier before excision of other swellings?
Is it regrowth of bone spur or osteochondroma again?
Is it that the doctors have not excised it completely and wants to plan other line of management?
I think you should get back to surgeon as early as possible, to check regarding the swelling.
I would like to know if your hospital record says anything about the operative notes.
If yes, what are the operative notes being down?
Only in cases where in patients with the multiple hereditary exostoses form of the disorder, new lesions may form in multiple areas, and they may grow.
Keep me informed if you have any further doubts.
Bye.
How are you feeling?
I am surprised to hear from you that the swelling which you always used to talk about, for which you have got surgery done for removal is still there. It is unbelievable.
Is it another bone spur which was noticed earlier before excision of other swellings?
Is it regrowth of bone spur or osteochondroma again?
Is it that the doctors have not excised it completely and wants to plan other line of management?
I think you should get back to surgeon as early as possible, to check regarding the swelling.
I would like to know if your hospital record says anything about the operative notes.
If yes, what are the operative notes being down?
Only in cases where in patients with the multiple hereditary exostoses form of the disorder, new lesions may form in multiple areas, and they may grow.
Keep me informed if you have any further doubts.
Bye.
Oh, if this helps....I've also had serious pain in my ankle over the past couple of days...my tendons, ligaments, nerves, whatever, but the pain runs linear on the tops and sides of my foot from my ankle.
Please give me some advice, much appreciated.
Please give me some advice, much appreciated.
Today was the 13th day after the surgery. I saw my surgeon, had the surgical tape removed and the bandages off. The surgery apparently went well, it was defintely an osteochondroma. Now, when I saw the Doc today, he just sorta glanced at my foot, said it had healed nicely and I could get back to life. (he's a really busy guy...theres about 100,000 people in my town and only a handful of bone doctors) However, when I got home, the first thing I did was rinse off the foot and clean it because it was all gross from the betadine/iodine, whatever was used. When I was cleaning the foot, I noticed that my lump was still there. The lump that I had had surgery for to remove....was still present. I felt it...pressed on, which hurt like hell, but it was rock hard. It felt just like my foot did before surgery! I mean, obviously theres swelling, but what would've caused this?! There is still a large lump on my foot. It is swollen yes, but this is hard!
Of course, once I noticed the lump, I ran and got my shoe (I had a cast boot that I had to use with the bandage...I wore that home from the doctor) and it was just like before. I couldn't fit my foot in. Some, of course, is due to swelling. But what the hell is this rock hard bone thing? I thought I'd gotten rid of this!
I hope someone can reply to this soon, I'm quite terrified and very upset. And very unsure what to do.
Desperately searching for some advice, HorsieLuver
Of course, once I noticed the lump, I ran and got my shoe (I had a cast boot that I had to use with the bandage...I wore that home from the doctor) and it was just like before. I couldn't fit my foot in. Some, of course, is due to swelling. But what the hell is this rock hard bone thing? I thought I'd gotten rid of this!
I hope someone can reply to this soon, I'm quite terrified and very upset. And very unsure what to do.
Desperately searching for some advice, HorsieLuver
Hi,
I feel once we know the biopsy report, the management would change. I would still want to have a biopsy on excised part and confirm the diagnosis.
Bye.
I feel once we know the biopsy report, the management would change. I would still want to have a biopsy on excised part and confirm the diagnosis.
Bye.
Hi.
I hope this post does not add more confusion.
While the diagnostic gold standard indeed for an osteochondroma involves a biopsy, I think we'll have to be practical to a certain extent.
Consider that bone spurs are much more common than cancers, using American Cancer Society 2007 data and a review on ankle spurs only (Rofo. 1995 Jun;162(6):502-5), we'll have to recommend a biopsy on 20000 people with bone spurs in order to detect one cancer patient. As a reference, for breast cancer, some 4000 women are screened with a mammogram to detect one cancer. Making a recommendation to biopsy all spurs will likely fail to improve outcomes in general.
I don't think that your doctors are amiss in their plans. If there are features of the spur that would raise the suspicion of malignancy - then they would have probably requested it.
The diagnosis written on your papers likely represents a working diagnosis. A final diagnosis will depend on the laboratory findings once the spur is sent to pathology. This is standard practice - I don't think you'll need to request them to send the specimen.
Good luck and happy holidays.
I hope this post does not add more confusion.
While the diagnostic gold standard indeed for an osteochondroma involves a biopsy, I think we'll have to be practical to a certain extent.
Consider that bone spurs are much more common than cancers, using American Cancer Society 2007 data and a review on ankle spurs only (Rofo. 1995 Jun;162(6):502-5), we'll have to recommend a biopsy on 20000 people with bone spurs in order to detect one cancer patient. As a reference, for breast cancer, some 4000 women are screened with a mammogram to detect one cancer. Making a recommendation to biopsy all spurs will likely fail to improve outcomes in general.
I don't think that your doctors are amiss in their plans. If there are features of the spur that would raise the suspicion of malignancy - then they would have probably requested it.
The diagnosis written on your papers likely represents a working diagnosis. A final diagnosis will depend on the laboratory findings once the spur is sent to pathology. This is standard practice - I don't think you'll need to request them to send the specimen.
Good luck and happy holidays.
Hi,
I am sorry to say but it is not clear to your doctors about your diagnosis.
It’s alright as far as they are doing it to alleviate your symptoms.
I would like you to ask them to send the bony spur for biopsy.
I hope your surgery goes on well.
Keep me informed about surgery and post-op recovery.
Bye.
I am sorry to say but it is not clear to your doctors about your diagnosis.
It’s alright as far as they are doing it to alleviate your symptoms.
I would like you to ask them to send the bony spur for biopsy.
I hope your surgery goes on well.
Keep me informed about surgery and post-op recovery.
Bye.
My surgery is Jan. 9th.
My doctor never said Osteochondroma to me. He said that it's a bone spur like item and that he'll remove it because it is causing me pain. They never mentioned that the lesion could regrow. I've never been truly diagonsed with an Osteochondroma by my surgeon; he said it was a bone spur type thing. When I recieved my admission papers from the hospital it said that it was for an excision of an Osteochondroma, so I'm assuming that's what his end diagonisis is, even if I wasn't involved in it? That's why I turned to the internet; I'd recieved my post op info but I had no idea what the surgery itself was about, pain wise, time wise...so again, thank you for your help!
My doctor never said Osteochondroma to me. He said that it's a bone spur like item and that he'll remove it because it is causing me pain. They never mentioned that the lesion could regrow. I've never been truly diagonsed with an Osteochondroma by my surgeon; he said it was a bone spur type thing. When I recieved my admission papers from the hospital it said that it was for an excision of an Osteochondroma, so I'm assuming that's what his end diagonisis is, even if I wasn't involved in it? That's why I turned to the internet; I'd recieved my post op info but I had no idea what the surgery itself was about, pain wise, time wise...so again, thank you for your help!
Hi,
You told in your last post that it is Osteochondroma.
Here you are saying that you have never been truly diagnosed as having Osteochondroma.
What you mean by saying that you are not been truly diagnosed of Osteochondroma?
As I told you that surgery would be planned only if you have some disabilities due to the lesion.
I think you have understood the surgery well and you also know the line of management of what doctor is going to plan peri-operatively.
What prognosis the doctor has given you?
What have they told you regarding the lesion, whether post-operatively the lesion will regrow or this is the final excision?
Hope you enjoy your Christmas and New Year.
When is the surgery planned?
Bye.
You told in your last post that it is Osteochondroma.
Here you are saying that you have never been truly diagnosed as having Osteochondroma.
What you mean by saying that you are not been truly diagnosed of Osteochondroma?
As I told you that surgery would be planned only if you have some disabilities due to the lesion.
I think you have understood the surgery well and you also know the line of management of what doctor is going to plan peri-operatively.
What prognosis the doctor has given you?
What have they told you regarding the lesion, whether post-operatively the lesion will regrow or this is the final excision?
Hope you enjoy your Christmas and New Year.
When is the surgery planned?
Bye.
Wow! First of all, I have to say thank you. I've posted my worries on a few different boards; you two are the only people who replied. I appreciate that!
Okay, now Caliber2005, I'm going to try to answer all your questions ! :)
I've had several xrays, a CT scan, a MRI with gad, 2 different bone scans with two different chemicals. Always inconclusive. I ended up with different opinions from the different scans, but they did rule out infection (there was a worry of osteomyelitsis for a bit). I've never had a true diagonsis of Osteochondroma; I recieved my papers from the hospital and thats what they said. My xray (as far as I can remember, they were done in Feb and June) never described a mushroom like appearance.
The doctor we saw wondered if it might be due to a missed LisFranc fracture dislocation....I don't even remember if we ruled that out.
I'm having the surgery due to pain...I can't walk long distances, I can't place all my weight onto that one foot, my toes lock up, and god, if something hits it? Excruicating. As well, I can no longer fit my foot into a shoe. I have a pair that I use that are stretched out.
I was not referred to a musculo - skeletal oncologist. I do not even think we have one in town.
As for after surgery, I was told bed rest for 4 days, crutches for 2 weeks, and then taking it easy for 2 months. I have a high risk of fracture after the surgery?
The lump presented itself last January. It's on the top of my foot, roughly, extends from the ankle joint and is on 3/4 of the foot. I'm not sure about the endoscopic resection...I just know I'm not spending the night in the hospital.
Okay, I think I've answered all your questions. Let me know if you have any more, but hope this helps.
Have a great holiday!
Okay, now Caliber2005, I'm going to try to answer all your questions ! :)
I've had several xrays, a CT scan, a MRI with gad, 2 different bone scans with two different chemicals. Always inconclusive. I ended up with different opinions from the different scans, but they did rule out infection (there was a worry of osteomyelitsis for a bit). I've never had a true diagonsis of Osteochondroma; I recieved my papers from the hospital and thats what they said. My xray (as far as I can remember, they were done in Feb and June) never described a mushroom like appearance.
The doctor we saw wondered if it might be due to a missed LisFranc fracture dislocation....I don't even remember if we ruled that out.
I'm having the surgery due to pain...I can't walk long distances, I can't place all my weight onto that one foot, my toes lock up, and god, if something hits it? Excruicating. As well, I can no longer fit my foot into a shoe. I have a pair that I use that are stretched out.
I was not referred to a musculo - skeletal oncologist. I do not even think we have one in town.
As for after surgery, I was told bed rest for 4 days, crutches for 2 weeks, and then taking it easy for 2 months. I have a high risk of fracture after the surgery?
The lump presented itself last January. It's on the top of my foot, roughly, extends from the ankle joint and is on 3/4 of the foot. I'm not sure about the endoscopic resection...I just know I'm not spending the night in the hospital.
Okay, I think I've answered all your questions. Let me know if you have any more, but hope this helps.
Have a great holiday!
Hi Horsie Luver,
Osteochondroma diagnosis is most likely but a biopsy and scan results are definitive study for its diagnosis.
Was a biopsy being done? What type of imaging is being done?
Osteochondroma is the most common benign tumor of bone. It is usually solitary; with lesion not present any where else. It is most common in males and on examination it is easily palpable.
It grows with the individual meaning as you grow, you would have skeletal maturity too and so would the tumor grow.
These would have been some of the reason that they would have come to a conclusion about its diagnosis.
As you have mentioned the lesion is growing in your 2nd metatarsal, which makes it less likely to transform in to a malignant one.
Malignant transformation is more likely in proximal osteochondroma than a distal one.
What did they report on imaging? Did they say that there is a mushroom like appearance on x-ray or there is a bony stalk with a cartilaginous cap?
Above findings on x-ray is hall mark of Osteochondroma.
Why is the surgery planned? Are you having any disability due to this lesion?
Surgical removal is planned or recommended only for symptomatic osteochondroma and for those that arise along the pelvic or shoulder girdle.
Where you been referred to a musculo-skeletal oncologist?
Referral should be made to a musculoskeletal oncologist for proper staging, biopsy, and treatment as appropriate.
The treatment as surgery is only planned for symptomatic lesions as resection.
Care must be taken by the surgeon to ensure that none of the cartilage cap or perichondrium is left, otherwise recurrence can occur. While operating, once the tumor is exposed, dissection is limited to the base of the lesion.
Once the structure is removed and you have a pathologist confirming the diagnosis, the wound would be irrigated well and a surgical drain would be placed. Post-operatively, most resections allow the patient to return to activity as tolerated.
The local recurrence rate after resection of osteochondroma is about 1.8%.
The surgery protocols differ from patient to patient, hospital to hospital and from surgeon to surgeon.
What is the size of lesion mentioned?
Are they planning for an endoscopic resection where in you would be discharged same day?
Keep me informed about your surgery.
Hope this helps.
Bye.
Osteochondroma diagnosis is most likely but a biopsy and scan results are definitive study for its diagnosis.
Was a biopsy being done? What type of imaging is being done?
Osteochondroma is the most common benign tumor of bone. It is usually solitary; with lesion not present any where else. It is most common in males and on examination it is easily palpable.
It grows with the individual meaning as you grow, you would have skeletal maturity too and so would the tumor grow.
These would have been some of the reason that they would have come to a conclusion about its diagnosis.
As you have mentioned the lesion is growing in your 2nd metatarsal, which makes it less likely to transform in to a malignant one.
Malignant transformation is more likely in proximal osteochondroma than a distal one.
What did they report on imaging? Did they say that there is a mushroom like appearance on x-ray or there is a bony stalk with a cartilaginous cap?
Above findings on x-ray is hall mark of Osteochondroma.
Why is the surgery planned? Are you having any disability due to this lesion?
Surgical removal is planned or recommended only for symptomatic osteochondroma and for those that arise along the pelvic or shoulder girdle.
Where you been referred to a musculo-skeletal oncologist?
Referral should be made to a musculoskeletal oncologist for proper staging, biopsy, and treatment as appropriate.
The treatment as surgery is only planned for symptomatic lesions as resection.
Care must be taken by the surgeon to ensure that none of the cartilage cap or perichondrium is left, otherwise recurrence can occur. While operating, once the tumor is exposed, dissection is limited to the base of the lesion.
Once the structure is removed and you have a pathologist confirming the diagnosis, the wound would be irrigated well and a surgical drain would be placed. Post-operatively, most resections allow the patient to return to activity as tolerated.
The local recurrence rate after resection of osteochondroma is about 1.8%.
The surgery protocols differ from patient to patient, hospital to hospital and from surgeon to surgeon.
What is the size of lesion mentioned?
Are they planning for an endoscopic resection where in you would be discharged same day?
Keep me informed about your surgery.
Hope this helps.
Bye.
Hi.
The surgery would involve removing the lump until normal bone is reached. The procedure can generally be done on an outpatient basis (as a matter of fact, the risk of complications such as infection may become higher with in-hospital). The difficulty expressed by your doctor is relative. What determines the difficulty is based on the relative complexity of foot anatomy, as compared to (for example) forearm anatomy. The 2nd metatarsal contributes to weight bearing, its best you discuss the actual location of the lump and the chances that there may be issues with the pressure points on which your weight is placed when you are standing. Some metatarsal surgeries involve placing pins in order to make sure alignment is assured during the period of healing (immobilization), you’ll have to keep the pins/wound clean and dry to avoid infections in case the procedure calls for this. If wound care after the procedure wasn’t discussed, then the surgical plan may not call for this, and you’ll be going home with a closed foot.
Its best you discuss the details with your doctor, as these cases are approached with an individualized frame of mind.
Stay positive.
The surgery would involve removing the lump until normal bone is reached. The procedure can generally be done on an outpatient basis (as a matter of fact, the risk of complications such as infection may become higher with in-hospital). The difficulty expressed by your doctor is relative. What determines the difficulty is based on the relative complexity of foot anatomy, as compared to (for example) forearm anatomy. The 2nd metatarsal contributes to weight bearing, its best you discuss the actual location of the lump and the chances that there may be issues with the pressure points on which your weight is placed when you are standing. Some metatarsal surgeries involve placing pins in order to make sure alignment is assured during the period of healing (immobilization), you’ll have to keep the pins/wound clean and dry to avoid infections in case the procedure calls for this. If wound care after the procedure wasn’t discussed, then the surgical plan may not call for this, and you’ll be going home with a closed foot.
Its best you discuss the details with your doctor, as these cases are approached with an individualized frame of mind.
Stay positive.
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