Neurilemoma in the ankle as a cause of plantar foot pain: A report of one case

Abstract 

One case of posterior tibial nerve neurilemoma with chronic plantar foot pain is described. At the initial examination, the case was overlooked as plantar fasciitis; it was treated for long periods prior to operation. Neurilemomas in the foot and ankle can easily be overlooked and misdiagnosed as tarsal tunnel syndrome or plantar fasciitis because of the similarity of symptoms to those of other frequently encountered foot disorders, absence of palpable mass and the rarity. Magnetic resonance imaging is the imaging modality of choice for differential diagnosis. In this case, surgical excision of the tumours resulted in immediate and complete relief of chronic plantar foot and calf pain. Despite the rarity of the disease, surgeons should consider neurilemoma as a cause of persistent chronic plantar foot and calf pain.