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The response to the question below was authored by Marc Mitnick DPM

Golf ball size swelling on the outer part of one ankle

by Jayanthi
(Malaysia)

malignancy or benign?

My husband, who is 48 years old, has been having this golf ball size swelling on the outer part of his right ankle for more than a year. There was no pain initially but recently he said it is painful when pressed or when he puts on his shoes. No doctor could give him a proper diagnosis. Hope you can help give a name to his condition and suggest what is the proper treatment to be done. Thanks.

RESPONSE

Hi Jayanthi,

It is impossible for me to make a diagnosis just looking at a picture especially when doctors who have actually looked at it are clueless as to what it might be.
I have a couple of ideas, but if your husband walked into my office, the first thing I would do is a biopsy.
There is a procedure known as a dry tap biopsy, where a needle is inserted into the growth. Sometimes fluid can be expelled from the growth and sometimes not. In either event the needle is then placed in a formalin solution and sent off to the lab. From this small sampling a good pathologist can usually make a diagnosis.
Although I do not know exactly what is growing on your husband's ankle, one of the possibilities is that of a malignant growth. At the very least, that has to be ruled out through biopsy.
My best advice would be for your husband to make an appointment with a surgeon and request that the growth be biopsied, sooner rather then later.

Marc Mitnick DPM
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Columbia University Department of Rehabilitation

ScienceDirect

Stanford Health Care

Illinois Bone and Joint Institute

Mount Sinai Hospital

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University of Florida Health

American Family Physician

Cedars-Sinai

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(location unknown)

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Unknown location

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New Zealand

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Poland

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South Carolina

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location unknown

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location unknown

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anonymous

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Poland

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Seattle, WA

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location unknown

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New Jersey

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location unknown

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Evansville, IA

Dear Marc

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San Diego, CA

Dr. Mitnick, Just want to say thank you so very much for your quick response and very informative reply! After reading what you had to say, I called the doctor's office and was able to get in and see him the same day as my injury. Toe was x-rayed and luckily, it is not broken or fractured. Very badly bruised and will probably lose the toe nail. And although my toe and toe nail are still very black and blue and very sore, they ARE both starting to feel a little better. So again, thank you! I am so very happy that I came across your website. The service you provide is outstanding and immeasurable!

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Albany, NY

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Whichita, KS

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....Keep up what your doing. Your a life saver.

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Colorado

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Colorado

Wonderful advice

by: Anonymous

This is the best site for foot problem info.

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location unknown

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Canada

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location unknown

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Wisconsin

Thank you for your response. You have provided some great insight (to my question)....

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location unknown

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North Carolina

Many Thanks Dr Marc!
Thank you for your response. It sounds like a good plan to me. He did not cut the wart out first ...

KG

location unknown

Thanks again doc for having this website and we STILL need qualified Podiatrists in beautiful sunny Tampa Bay (Bradenton) Florida.

Bessie Mae

Florida

Dear Dr. Mitnick, Thank you so very much for taking your time to answer my question. You have greatly relieved my anxiety related to the continual tingly I feel in my feet. I will share your response with my podiatrist next week. God bless you for having this question and answer page on your website! Most gratefully,

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New Jersey

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a mom

location unknown

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Bellevue, WA

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Jodi

location unknown

Golf ball size swelling on the outer part of one ankle

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