Movable hard mass along tibia, slight ache

[mhomerjr]

I have a relatively small mass (e.g., lima bean or a nickel) on the inside of my left calf and just above my ankle along the tibia and in between the tibia and soleus muscle. The mass feels hard, ovate, about the size of a large lima bean (but a bit more rectangular), and it does not feel fixed to the tibia bone. This mass has a tiny pea-sized mass/lipoma adjacent to it just above the tibia that is also movable. The main mass will move slightly if I manipulate the skin, and does not hurt to the touch. In my early and mid 20's, I banged my shin quite a few times playing sports and in accidents, and I am curious to know if this might be scar tissue from an injury... I was also a big distance runner for about 8 years, and stopped just a couple of years ago. The mass has never been biopsied, and I have had a lipoma removed from the same leg in 2009. I also broke three metatarsals in this foot, and have sprained the ankle twice.  

The spot where this mass has formed does have a dull ache from time-to-time, similar to a shin splint type feeling on the posterior tibialis muscle. I had pointed it out to my general practitioner about a year ago, and he did not believe it was anything to worry about, and never speculated as to what it may be. However, I recently have had a growing ache in this area of my leg and it radiates along the tibia almost to my patella, and I am concerned that this mass may be something more serious. It does not feel like it has increased in size, but I do not truly know how long it has been there. I discovered it about two years ago when the skin around it began to itch around it, and i was scratching aggressively.

Any advice would be most appreciated. About me: I am 30; male; 6'1"; 226lbs; athletic build; biracial (white & black). Great maternal grandfather died of lung cancer that had metastasized to bones. No immediate family history of cancer.

[mhomerjr]

Dr. Kaul,

The mass ended up being a deep vein thrombosis that was removed in August. It was about an inch long. All is well now and no issues with that anymore. :-)

[S. Kaul, MD]

Hi there!

Well, without a detailed clinical evaluation it would be difficult to determine the cause of the mass. Possibilities that may need to be considered include lipomas, xanthomas, neurofibroma, growths from the bone or overlying soft tissue etc. Without a definite diagnosis at hand it would be difficult to suggest a management plan. I would suggest getting this evaluated by a primary care physician or an orthopedician for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate management.
Hope this helps.

Take care!