A 62-year-old female presented for the evaluation of a symptomatic soft tissue mass involving the right plantar medial arch. Her symptomatology was relatively insidious by history and what prompted her visit was gradual intolerance of a certain shoe gear. She reported the mass was present for over a year but symptomology escalated about four months prior to initial evaluation. Her past medical history included hypertension, thyroid disease, Factor V Leiden pathology with a history of deep vein thrombosis, degenerative joint disease, and morbid obesity. Social history was unremarkable. Her physical exam was largely unremarkable except for significant pes planovalgus changes in both feet and a painful mass involving the right foot. Specific examination of the soft tissue mass revealed a mildly firm, slightly mobile, tender soft tissue mass in the medial plantar arch. Plain films demonstrated no acute process. Both non-operative and operative treatment options were offered and the patient chose the latter, electing for wide en bloc excision instead of complete fasciectomy. Prior to surgery, an MRI was ordered that demonstrated changes consistent with a solitary plantar fibroma lesion (Figures , ). Her surgery was without compromise and included perioperative anticoagulation bridge management in light of her history of deep vein thrombosis. Wound management included placement of a battery-powered ciNPT device (Prevena™) and light compression bandaging. At bandage takedown, the incison was observed to be well coapted with no complications (Figure ). The device remained in place for one week and was then removed. No drainage strikethrough was seen (Figure ). Surgical pathology was consistent with a solitary benign plantar fibromatosis lesion. Sutures remained in place for a total of three weeks. A walking boot was used for two weeks after suture removal. Healing progressed uneventfully with gradual increase in weight bearing and activities. Dorsal foot swelling on the operative foot persisted but eventually resolved. She ultimately returned to normal shoe gear at three months and was discharged from care without symptoms or signs of recurrence at six months.
Nearly a decade ago, a 58-year-old male presented for the evaluation of a painful soft tissue mass involving the left plantar foot. After conservative means were exhausted, he opted for surgery and elected to have a wide en bloc excisional removal of the mass. Pathology was consistent with PF. His post-operative period was uneventful and he remained asymptomatic for several years until November 2019. He presented again at this time for the evaluation of a gradually enlarging, symptomatic soft tissue mass in the same area as the original mass (Figure ). Upon examination and further history, it was felt that this mass was consistent with a recurrent plantar fibroma. His past medical history was particularly remarkable for Type II diabetes and morbid obesity. Other problems included high cholesterol, anxiety, and depression. Social history included controlled substance abuse. His physical exam was normal. Specific exam of the soft tissue mass revealed a firm, tender, nodular mass involving the left plantar medial arch in the same region of a well-healed, mildly hyperkeratotic surgical scar. Plain radiographs were negative. When he opted for surgery, the risks and benefits were outlined of both complete fasciectomy and wide en bloc resection. He chose the latter technique. An MRI was ordered that revealed changes consistent with a PF mass (Figures , ). Surgery was completed without complications. Wound management included placement of a battery-powered ciNPT device (Prevena™) and light compression bandaging. The device remained in place for one week and was then removed. No significant swelling or erythema was seen (Figure ). Surgical pathology was consistent with a solitary benign plantar fibromatosis lesion. Sutures remained in place for a total of three weeks. At this time, the incision was found to be negligibly tender, flat and well coapted. Partial weight bearing in a walking boot was initiated. At two weeks from the time of suture removal, he was transitioned to full weight bearing. At just over three months, he was discharged from care symptom free without signs of recurrence.