Exostosis of the Foot: Clinical Features and Outcome After Surgery

Background/Purpose: There are two common diagnoses for exostosis occurring in the foot—osteochondromas and subungal exostoses. Methods: A retrospective study of patients with a diagnosis of exostosis receiving surgery from 2000 to 2011 was conducted. Sixty-five patients were reviewed. Fourteen cases of exostosis on the foot were identified. Results: Out of fourteen cases of exostosis on the foot, nine had a subungal location and five were located on the foot. Four out of five cases on the foot showed histology of hyaline cartilage cap while fibrocartilage was shown in seven out of nine cases with lesions on the toes. In cases of subungal exostosis, excision was done via a transungal approach or wedge excision. Surgical outcome was satisfactory in terms of improvement in pain, cosmetic concern, and functional disturbance. Conclusion: Osteochondroma and subungal exostosis are not uncommonly encountered diagnoses for bony outgrowths occurring over the foot region. Surgical outcome was satisfactory