What Causes A Painless Lump On Tibia, Pain In Leg, Thigh And Foot?

Posted on Fri, 5 Feb 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 5 Feb 2016 Answered on

Tue, 5 Apr 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : nullHi I have a lump on my tibia its been there for 3 to 4 months. It was painless but the last week I have been having a dull ache in my leg, sharp jabbering pains in my thigh and foot. I've also experienced some tightness feeling in my leg and foot especially when I sit on the floor and have my legs bent I can really feel it. I've had a ultrasound done found nothing, I've had a xray done they recommend I have mri which I had done, they found a lipmoa its 36mm thick the doctor said they couldn't find it cause its spread out in my tibia not in a ball I do have some swelling there as well and my leg feels heavier to lift than the other my question is should I be having pain and discomfort with it. I think I have another smaller lump on my other leg should I get another opinion? The swelling around the lipmoa will it go down or stay the way it is.i I have attached the results from the mri to this question

Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (49 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Pain can occur from nerve irritation or local inflammation

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for writing in to us.

I have read through your query in detail.
Please find my observations below.

1. There is what seems like increased fat distribution under the skin and over lying the tibia bone. The bone is normal. This can be a diffuse lipoma that is not the usual lipoma, which usually forms a ball.

2. Pain in the region can be from irritation of nerves over the region of diffuse edema. There is also edema above and below the region. The cause of the edema is to be established clinically and that can contribute to the pain. I recommend a Doppler scan to have a better idea of blood flow in the region of pain. Any local inflammation it to be treated and that will help decrease swelling below the skin.

3. It is important to get an opinion on the lump in the other leg. This will help understand any condition before it manifests to a bigger lump.

I request you to please upload MRI scan CD containing images to a file sharing website like Dropbox or google drive and send me the download link. This will help to discuss your condition accurately.

Hope your query is answered.
Please do write back if you have any doubts.

Regards,

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Vivek Chail (2 days later)

Sorry I didn't get the results on a disk I have taken some pics of the scans I hope they turn out alright

Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
There is a diffuse lipoma

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for writing back with an update.

1. The images confirm what is discussed in the previous reply.

2. There is a diffuse lipoma which cannot be removed entirely.

3. Any infection has to be closely monitored and treated.

Hope your query is answered.
Please do write back if you have any doubts.

Regards,

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Naveen Kumar

Follow up: Dr. Vivek Chail (11 hours later)

so if it cant be entirely removed,and its painful now what happens than, just keep an eye on it? So should I go back to the doctor about the infection? so its just a lipoma nothing else?

Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
It is a diffuse lipoma which requires you to keep an eye on it

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Thanks for writing back with an update.

1. Every one has fat layer under the skin. Your lipoma has manifested in this fat layer in the leg. You can discuss with your doctor if liposuction will help in removing some of the extra fat which is causing the lipoma.

2. The lipoma cannot be separated from the fat and therefore the term diffuse is used. The MRI shows fat tissue which is merging with the fat below the skin and this makes it a lipoma. If there is significant increase in the size of the lump in 3 to 6 months then you should inform your doctor.

3. If you feel there is increase in your pain and swelling then an infection in the region is to be evaluated for and this requires consulting your doctor.

Hope your query is answered.
Please do write back if you have any doubts.

Regards,

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad