Piezogenic Foot Papules: Causes and Treatment of Painful Piezogenic Foot Papules in Lisbon

Piezogenic Papules on Feet

Have you noticed the presence of small balls on your feet when you step and feel pain in your heel when you stand, which is immediately relieved after releasing the pressure? Does the pain in your foot worsen after prolonged exercise or at the end of the day? When you step, do you notice the formation of small balls around your heel?

If you answered yes to these questions, it is quite likely that you suffer from what are called “ Painful Piezogenic Foot Papules ”. Although piezogenic papules are most commonly found on the heel, they can also be found on the wrist and palm of the hand.

In this article we will describe the main characteristics of this condition, causes and treatments available for small bumps on the feet (piezogenic pedal papules).

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ℹ️ What are piezogenic papules?

Piezogenic papules are relatively common and occur most frequently in runners, triathletes, and individuals exposed to prolonged periods of standing. They are also quite common in individuals with connective tissue diseases, especially Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and Prader-Willi syndrome.

Described by Shelley and Rawnsley in 1968, the formation of these little balls on the feet is thought to be caused by the herniation of fat through the stroma of the connective tissue of the heel.

Characteristics: how to identify balls on feet?

It is characterized by the presence of small balls in the heel area caused by small hernias of adipose tissue that are produced by failure of the connective tissue. They can be noticed on the lateral and middle part of the foot when standing and disappear when the foot stops being pressed.

These small bumps on the feet appear in the form of several papules measuring between 2 and 5 mm. As they increase in size, the patient will experience more pain. The size of the papules can increase due to trauma to the heel region and due to excess weight.

In most cases, these lesions are seen in people over 40 years of age, and are more common in women. In the vast majority of cases, their presence is completely asymptomatic, causing no pain or discomfort. When they are painful, it is due to ischemia (lack of blood supply to organic tissue due to obstruction) caused by the extrusion of fat with the neurovascular bundle in the heel area, which gives rise to pain and inflammation in the deepest area of ​​the dermis.

🤔 Causes of bumps on feet

The main causes of the formation of “balls on the feet” are:

• Intense physical activity : Intense and constant exercise causes papules to appear on the feet due to compression of the heel area. Studies indicate that 1/3 of people with these complaints are runners;
• Overweight or obesity : excess weight and pressure on the heels makes the papules more easily noticed, causing pain and possible local inflammation;
• Standing for long periods : pressure on the heel area for a long time contributes to the formation of papules;
• Staying in the same position for a long time : worsens injuries in the heel region as a result of the pressure in this position;
• Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) : an inherited disease characterized by increased skin elasticity, easy bruising, and joint hypermobility. These changes are the result of genetic alterations that affect collagen-related structures. The presence of piezogenic papules is more common in people suffering from this disease.
• Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) : a genetic disorder due to loss of function of specific genes, which causes loss of muscle tone.

Other conditions that can cause the aforementioned bumps on the feet:

• Cysts , usually appear on the ankle or instep;
• Plantar fibromatosis , these are nodules easily seen when the foot is dorsiflexed against the lower limb;
• Rheumatic heart disease ;
• Rheumatoid arthritis .

✅ Treatment for bumps on feet

The vast majority of people with pyogenic papules do not experience any pain or discomfort. In these cases, no treatment is necessary, as they do not pose any danger. However, if the bumps are uncomfortable, treatments can be performed to strengthen the local tissue, improving the herniation.

For people who complain of pain in their feet and heels, treatment is a necessity. The discomfort is so great that it often makes it impossible for the patient to walk and carry out their daily tasks, especially for those who spend a lot of time standing or who are athletes.

The therapies available for the treatment of piezogenic pedal papules in Lisbon are:

• Electroacupuncture : Acts on inflammation and strengthening the fibers of the affected tissue;
• Radiofrequency : Together with Electroacupuncture, it will double the firming effect (combats sagging) of the treatment;
• Laser : is a therapy with proven effects on both inflammation and tissue strengthening;
• Creams : The use of a regenerating and nourishing cream is essential to promote in-office treatments. Synchro is the most widely used cream in post-operative and scar treatment as it has unique properties in all skin regeneration processes;
• Infrared and Ultrasound: both are excellent in treating inflammation;

Other complementary therapies are available at our clinic if necessary for treatment.

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💡 Tips to avoid bumps on your feet

It is not always possible to prevent the appearance of piezogenic papules and the pain they cause. Ideally, you should carry out the necessary treatments, but these tips may help to minimize the pressure exerted on your feet and provide some relief.

• Use insoles that are appropriate for your condition. Visit a podiatrist and ask for corrective insoles. They help to better distribute the weight on the feet, relieving pain and the formation of piezogenic papules;
• If you are overweight, consider losing a few pounds. This will relieve pressure on your heels;
• Avoid standing for long periods of time;
• It is recommended not to practice impact sports;
• Poultices of green clay or local ginger are beneficial in eliminating inflammation in the feet.

🗓️ Book a Chinese Medicine Consultation to treat pimples on your feet in Lisbon:

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