What's the bump on your ankle called?
Mia Kelly
Published Jan 07, 2026
Medial Malleolus: Bony bump on the inside of your ankle. The medial Malleolus is a part of the tibia's base. Posterior Malleolus: Felt on the back of your ankle and is also a part of the base of the tibia. Lateral Malleolus: Bony protrusion felt on the outside of the ankle.Medial Malleolus A malleolus is the bony prominence on each side of the human ankle. › wiki › Malleolus
Why does my ankle have a bump on it?
What causes an ankle lump? Ankle lumps have many possible causes, including trauma, infections, inflammatory diseases, benign (noncancerous) cysts and tumors, and (rarely) cancer.
What is the lump on the side of your ankle?
One common soft tissue mass we see in the foot and ankle is called a lipoma. Lipomas most commonly occur at the lateral aspect of the ankle joint. They can be very large and cause irritation due to rubbing in shoes. A lipoma is a benign tumor of fat cells forming in between the skin and muscle layer.
Is it normal to have a bump on the side of your foot?
While some causes are of serious concern, many causes are not. Still, it's important to have any bump on your foot checked out by a doctor — even if it's a small lump that's not bothering you. Some foot bumps may be cancerous, so it's critical that a medical professional accurately diagnose them.
How do you get rid of a hard bump on your foot?
A molded insole or orthotic can help treat bumps caused by uneven weight distribution. This helps to remove the pressure from the balls of the feet. Orthotic insoles are available for purchase online. Foot orthotics may relieve pressure from the arch of the foot (plantar fascia) and help reduce the size of the nodules.
27 related questions foundHow do you treat a lump on your ankle?
Immobilization, such as the use of a brace or splint, can help keep the affected joint from moving, allowing it to rest and the cyst to subside. During aspiration, the doctor will use a needle to remove the fluid from the ganglion cyst and inject the area with an anti-inflammatory steroid.
Should I be worried about a lump on my foot?
But a lump found in the foot has a possibility of being cancerous, and for this reason, must not be ignored. The most common type of lump found in the foot is a soft-tissue mass called a ganglionic cyst. This soft, fluid-filled sac is a benign (noncancerous) bump found on the tendons and joints.
What is a cyst in the ankle?
Ganglion cysts are benign growths that are filled with fluid and attach to a tendon or tissue that surrounds the joint in the foot. They are sometimes asymptomatic, but can also cause a burning sensation, skin irritation, and can make walking and wearing shoes difficult.
How do you get rid of a cyst on your ankle?
At-Home Treatments
- Wearing loose, yet properly fitted shoes. In some cases, simply wearing shoes looser can take the pressure off the cyst area. ...
- Immobilization of the area. Activity can cause cysts to get larger. ...
- Warm compresses. ...
- Over-the-counter pain meds like Advil, Aleve, and Tylenol.
Can I pop a cyst?
While you may want to pop your cyst open, you should never do so by squeezing or picking at it. Most cysts are nearly impossible to squeeze out with your fingers alone. Plus, you can send bacteria and sebum deep below the hair follicles, causing the materials to spread and make even more cysts.
Do ganglion cysts go away?
Ganglion cysts can disappear
Around 30 to 50 per cent of ganglion cysts disappear by themselves without the need for medical treatment. However, it is always best to consult your doctor to make sure the lump isn't a symptom of some other disease.
Do ankle lumps go away?
Ganglion cysts
Locations include the top of the foot, near the ankle joint or on the side of the foot. Ganglion cysts do not go away on their own and often return even after drainage. Nonsurgical treatment options include monitoring, shoe modifications, and aspiration followed by an injection.
How can you tell if a lump is cancerous?
Bumps that are cancerous are typically large, hard, painless to the touch and appear spontaneously. The mass will grow in size steadily over the weeks and months. Cancerous lumps that can be felt from the outside of your body can appear in the breast, testicle, or neck, but also in the arms and legs.
Can you get a tumor on your ankle?
Soft tissue masses and tumors are lumps on your foot or ankle. These often benign (noncancerous) bumps can appear at the site of: Blood vessels. Muscles.
Are ganglion cysts hard or soft?
People experience ganglion cysts differently. Ganglia are usually (but not always) firm to the touch. Some people report that the fluid-filled cysts as soft. The lump likely moves easily under your skin.
What does a ganglion cyst on the ankle feel like?
Ganglion cyst symptoms
A noticeable lump on the top or bottom of your foot or ankle. A dull ache or pain near the lump, which can mean your cyst is pushing on a ligament or tendon. A tingling or burning sensation, which can indicate your cyst is pushing on a nerve. Irritation to the lump when you wear shoes.
When should I be concerned about a lump?
your lump is painful, red or hot. your lump is hard and does not move. your lump lasts more than 2 weeks. a lump grows back after it's been removed.
Do cancerous lumps hurt?
Cancer lumps usually don't hurt. If you have one that doesn't go away or grows, see your doctor. Night sweats. In middle-aged women, it can be a symptom of menopause, but it's also a symptom of cancer or an infection.
Do tumors hurt to touch?
They can feel firm or soft. Benign masses are more likely to be painful to the touch, such as with an abscess. Benign tumors also tend to grow more slowly, and many are smaller than 5 cm (2 inches) at their longest point. Sarcomas (cancerous growths) more often are painless.
Can I pop a ganglion cyst?
Don't try to pop the cyst yourself by puncturing it with a needle or cutting into it with a sharp tool. Not only is this unlikely to be effective, but can lead to infection or a risk of recurrence. Don't strike your cyst with a heavy object.
What happens if you leave a ganglion cyst untreated?
Ganglion cyst complications
If left untreated, complications can occur. The most common complication is infection. If the cyst fills with bacteria, it will become an abscess that could burst inside the body and lead to blood poisoning.
Can you get rid of a ganglion yourself?
Because ganglion cysts are non-cancerous and might disappear with time, you might not need to do anything to remove them. Using warm compresses might increase blood circulation and promote fluid drainage, but they will not prevent the cyst from growing.
Can you poke a cyst with a needle?
Do not squeeze the cyst or poke it with a needle to open it. This can cause swelling, redness, and infection. Always have a doctor look at any new lumps you get to make sure that they are not serious.
How long do cysts last?
A cyst will not heal until it is lanced and drained or surgically excised. Without treatment, cysts will eventually rupture and partially drain. It may take months (or years) for these to progress. Once they rupture, the painful sebaceous cyst will likely return if the pocket lining is not removed entirely.
