You may not normally associate cholesterol with feet but there is a condition called a xanthoma that can affects your Achilles tendon. A high cholesterol level can cause small deposits of cholesterol to develop under the skin or along tendons. They appear as small nodules or bumps. If these bumps are noticed, it is important to be aware that your risk of heart attack, heart disease or stroke is greatly increased.
Foot specialist Dr. Tejas Pandya treats all foot and ankle conditions and sees how xanthomas can develop within the Achilles tendon on the heel. Looking like a little sore or bump under the skin, they are usually flat, yellow in color and soft to the touch. To diagnose a xanthoma, aside from its characteristic appearance, Dr. Pandya may take a small biopsy to examine whether the growth contains cholesterol.
Aside from treating the underlying cholesterol problem, xanthomas may be removed with a laser treatment or by surgically cutting them out. They can grow back and other ones can appear in different locations in your body. Focus needs to primarily be on getting your cholesterol to where it needs to be. This may mean medications and lifestyle changes but lowering your cholesterol level may allow existing xanthomas to reduce in size or go away entirely.
Since a small lump or bump could be caused by a number of things, it is important to get even something small looked at. Dr. Pandya will be able to do a thorough evaluation and diagnosis to determine the cause of your bump(s). If it is near your Achilles, it may very well be a xanthoma, which will indicate a specific course of treatment.
Make an appointment today if you see a bump on your Achilles. Call our podiatric in Troy, NY and Clifton Park, NY at (518) 273-0053 or visit www.capitaldistrictpodiatry.com.
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