Neurofibroma of the Posterior Ankle: A Case Report

Neurofibromas are benign peripheral nerve sheath tumors that most commonly occur on the trunk, head, and neck. In the foot and ankle, they are uncommon, and those arising from the posterior heel are exceedingly rare, representing an unusual site of occurrence. We report the case of a 49-year-old woman with a persistent lesion on the posterior aspect of her right heel, initially misdiagnosed as a callus due to its superficial appearance and resemblance to common mechanical lesions. Physical examination revealed a firm, mobile, tan-colored mass. The lesion was small and appeared benign so imaging was not performed prior to excision. Histopathological analysis revealed spindle-shaped cells within a loose collagenous stroma consistent with a benign neurofibroma. The patient had complete resolution of symptoms after excision and no recurrence at the six-month follow-up. This case illustrates how neurofibromas in uncommon locations such as the posterior heel can mimic more common conditions, delaying accurate diagnosis. Persistent or atypical heel lesions unresponsive to conservative therapy should prompt early biopsy and histopathological evaluation to ensure timely and appropriate management.