Discovering an unexpected bump on your foot or ankle can be unsettling, especially when it changes size, becomes painful, or interferes with your shoes. Most growths are benign, but every lump and concerning condition deserves a professional evaluation to confirm what it is and decide the right course of action.
Dr. D. Sean Sweeney, DPM, FACFAS, and Dr. Christy Leahey, DPM, FACFAS, lead Sweeney Foot & Ankle Specialists, an award-winning practice voted Best Podiatrist in The Woodlands by Living Magazine every year since 2012. With more than 20 years of combined experience and access to advanced diagnostic imaging, our team identifies the source of your growth quickly and creates a personalized plan to resolve it.
Common Foot and Ankle Growths We Diagnose and Treat
Lumps and bumps on the foot fall into many categories, from soft-tissue cysts to bone-based tumors. Each condition below is explored in greater detail on its own dedicated page.
Lumps on the Outer Foot
Growths along the outside edge of the foot are often caused by irritation, ganglion cysts, or bone spurs that rub against footwear.
Ganglion Cysts
These fluid-filled sacs typically appear near joints or tendons and may fluctuate in size with activity.
Ollier’s Disease
A rare disorder marked by multiple enchondromas, benign cartilage tumors that can affect bone shape, length, and strength.
Plantar Fibromatosis
A condition involving firm nodules within the plantar fascia, often felt as a knot in the arch of the foot.
Maffucci’s Syndrome
A rare congenital condition combining enchondromas with soft-tissue vascular malformations that requires careful long-term monitoring.
Giant Cell Tumor
A benign but often aggressive growth that develops near tendons or joints and may recur if not fully removed.
Xanthomas of the Achilles Tendon
Cholesterol-rich deposits that thicken the Achilles tendon, frequently associated with inherited high-cholesterol disorders.
Osteochondromas
Benign bone-and-cartilage growths that can press on nearby tissues and cause pain or visible bumps.
Enchondroma
A cartilage tumor that forms inside a bone, sometimes discovered after a minor fracture or routine imaging.
Painful Bumps on the Back of the Heel
These bumps are often the result of Haglund’s deformity, bursitis, or Achilles irritation aggravated by pressure from footwear.
Lumps and Bumps on the Inside of the Foot
Bunions, accessory bones, and soft-tissue masses commonly form along the inner border of the foot.
Plantar Fibromas/Lumps in the Arch of the Foot
Firm, benign nodules in the arch that can cause discomfort while walking or standing for long periods.
Lumps and Bumps on the Bottom of the Foot
From plantar warts to cysts and fibromas, masses on the sole can affect balance and daily mobility.
Lumps on the Top of the Toes and Foot
Often caused by ganglion cysts, bone spurs, or hammertoe-related irritation from shoe pressure.
Muco-Cutaneous Cyst
A small, fluid-filled cyst near the toenail or joint that may interfere with nail growth or cause tenderness.
Why Choose Sweeney Foot & Ankle Specialists for Lumps, Cysts, and Tumors in The Woodlands, TX?
Patients across The Woodlands and Magnolia choose our practice because we combine modern technology with the warmth of a hometown clinic. Dr. Sweeney and Dr. Leahey use advanced diagnostic tools, custom orthotics, regenerative Nano Flex injections, and FDA-cleared MLS laser therapy with an 85–90% efficacy rate for pain and inflammation. Lumps, cysts, and tumors receive the same compassionate, patient-centered approach that has earned us Living Magazine’s Best Podiatrist honor every year since 2012.
Schedule Your Evaluation Today
Any new or changing lump on your foot deserves a clear answer and a tailored plan. Sweeney Foot & Ankle Specialists offers prompt appointments, accurate diagnostics, and a full range of conservative and surgical solutions to restore your comfort and confidence.
Call our office in The Woodlands, TX, at (281) 292-4944 or our Magnolia office at (281) 789-4956 to schedule your consultation.