

While plantar fibromas are most common on the bottoms of your feet, it’s possible for them to develop along the sides near the arch of your foot. Also benign, these masses tend to have a more solid texture than ganglion cysts. The affected areas may be red and tender to the touch. Bursitis can develop on the sides of your feet, as well as on your heels or big toes. It’s typically caused by repetitive stress, such as certain physical exercises or wearing ill-fitting shoes. This painful condition develops when bursae, the small fluid-filled sacs in your feet, become inflamed. Large ganglion cysts may be drained or surgically removed, but it’s still possible for them to grow back. Ganglion cysts may not cause symptoms until they are large enough to rub against shoes, nerves, or joints, at which point you may feel pain or tingling sensations. These benign, or non-cancerous, growths have a jelly-like texture and are most common on the tops of the feet, but they can occur on the sides, too. However, pain or swelling that lasts more than 5 days should be addressed with a doctor. Such lumps tend to resolve on their own as these symptoms decrease.

If you’ve recently injured the side of your foot, you may have a temporary lump along with swelling and bruising. Below are some of the most common causes: There are a variety of reasons why lumps could develop on the sides of your feet.
Common causes of lump on the side of the foot
