Dr.Artis was so amazing. After going to two other podiatrists who gave me no support or hope, Dr. artis made me feel like there can be change for me. She was so patient, kind and informative. I’m actually excited to go back and get my results.
One of the most common diagnostic questions patients bring to Healthy Feet NYC is a simple one: “I have this lump on my foot what is it?” The answer matters enormously, because a ganglion cyst and a bone spur are completely different structures, arise from completely different causes, cause different patterns of symptoms, and require completely different treatments. Attempting to treat a bone spur with aspiration or managing a ganglion cyst with orthotics designed for bone spurs are both paths to prolonged frustration. Our podiatrists perform the clinical and imaging evaluation necessary to give you a definitive answer quickly so your treatment targets the actual problem from day one.
A ganglion cyst is a soft tissue mass a fluid-filled sac arising from a joint capsule or tendon sheath while a bone spur (osteophyte) is a bony overgrowth that develops at the edge of a joint in response to chronic mechanical stress, arthritis, or repetitive trauma. On physical examination, a ganglion cyst is typically soft to firm, slightly movable, and transilluminates under a bright light. A bone spur is hard, non-compressible, and fixed to the underlying bone. Plain X-rays will clearly demonstrate a bone spur but cannot visualize a ganglion cyst, which requires ultrasound or MRI for confirmation. Clinically, the distinction between a ganglion cyst vs bone spur matters because the pain patterns differ ganglion cysts tend to cause pressure-related pain and nerve symptoms, while bone spurs cause pain during specific movements, weight-bearing, or when adjacent soft tissue becomes impinged. At Healthy Feet NYC, our diagnostic evaluation reliably distinguishes between these two common foot conditions and any others that may be causing your lump.
Once a definitive diagnosis is established, treatment diverges completely between ganglion cysts and bone spurs. Ganglion cysts are managed through observation, aspiration, or surgical excision depending on symptoms and recurrence history. Bone spurs, by contrast, are managed through padding, orthotics designed to offload the affected area, corticosteroid injections for adjacent soft tissue inflammation, physical therapy to improve joint mechanics, and in refractory cases, surgical excision of the bony prominence. Attempting aspiration on a bone spur will yield nothing because there is no fluid to aspirate. Attempting to offload a ganglion cyst with a heel cup designed for a calcaneal spur will not address the cyst at all. The precision of treatment begins entirely with the precision of the diagnosis, which is why imaging confirmation at Healthy Feet NYC is standard practice before any intervention.
TESTIMONIAL
Dr.Artis was so amazing. After going to two other podiatrists who gave me no support or hope, Dr. artis made me feel like there can be change for me. She was so patient, kind and informative. I’m actually excited to go back and get my results.
Everyone was super friendly. Doctor Rick’s explained everything thoroughly.
Dr Bell was incredibly thorough and personable. Gave me great information and useful information for my next steps. A great experience!
“Fast, professional, and very clean office. I was checked in and seen within 10 minutes of my scheduled time. Dr. Ricks was straight to the point but thorough. The front desk staff was also incredibly helpful.
All of the staff are super welcoming and professional! Bianca took excellent care in getting my X-rays. Dr. Ricks was thorough in explaining my diagnosis and next steps. Highly recommended!!
Well before I came in today to see Dr. Ricks my foot in pain was 9/10 and now I feel good 🙏🏿🤩 thanks
Behind every great care experience is a team that truly listens. Our doctors are committed to understanding your needs, delivering personalized treatment, and supporting you every step of your health journey.
Dr. Farah Alani is a New York City foot and ankle surgeon at To Healthy Feet Podiatry, a boutique podiatry practice located in the heart…
Dr. Alison Bell was born in Manhattan and is a Public Health graduate of Charles R. Drew University. She obtained her medical degree from Kent…
Dr. Roxann Clarke is a graduate of Hampton University in Virginia, where she obtained her Bachelor of Science in Biology and her Master of Science…
Dr. Ricks is a board-certified fellowship-trained podiatric surgeon committed to delivering top-tier foot and ankle care. From New Jersey, she a Bachelor’s in…
As the Chief Operating Officer of To Healthy Feet Podiatry, Tiffany provides leadership to ensure all administrative are producing optimal results. Dr….
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