Lumps on Legs: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment

This article is for general information only and does not replace advice from your own doctor or emergency services.

Quick Answer

A lump on the leg is any abnormal bump, knot, or area of swelling that feels different from the surrounding tissue. It can appear on the shin, calf, thigh, or behind the knee, and may be:

• Soft or firm
• Moveable or fixed
• Painful or painless

Common non-cancerous causes include:

• Lipomas (soft, fatty lumps under the skin) 
• Cysts (fluid- or debris-filled sacs) 
• Hematomas or “goose eggs” after an injury (collections of blood under the skin)
• Inflammatory nodules, such as erythema nodosum on the shins
• Varicose veins, which can look and feel like bulging, lumpy veins in the legs

Less commonly, a lump can be due to infection (such as a skin abscess) or, rarely, a tumor (including soft-tissue sarcoma or bone cancer).

Get medical care promptly if a lump:

• Grows quickly
• Is very painful, red, or hot
• Lasts more than 2 weeks
• Is hard and does not move
• Is larger than about 2–5 cm (marble–golf ball sized)
• Is deep in the muscle or causes trouble walking or moving the joint 

Call emergency care if the leg becomes cold, very pale, numb, weak, or you can’t move your foot or toes, or if you suspect a serious injury or infection.

What Are Lumps on the Leg?

A leg lump is any localized area that feels raised, thickened, or different from normal skin and tissue. It may arise from:

• Skin (epidermis/dermis)
• Fat and soft tissue under the skin
• Muscle
• Blood vessels (e.g., varicose veins)
• Bone (shin/tibia or femur)

Examples of how people describe these lumps include:

• “Soft squishy lump on my lower leg”
• “Hard lump on my shin bone”
• “Painful knot in my calf”
• “Lump behind my knee”

Most lumps are benign, but some causes are serious, so persistent or changing lumps should be checked. 

Common Types of Leg Lumps

Painless Lumps

Often benign, but still worth checking if they change.

Lipomas (fatty lumps)

• Soft, rubbery, moveable under the skin
• Usually painless and slow growing
• Common on arms, shoulders, back, and legs

Cysts

• Round or oval lumps containing fluid or keratin (e.g., epidermoid cysts)
• Usually just under the skin, may have a small central pore
• Often painless unless inflamed or infected 

Dermatofibromas

• Small, firm, button-like nodules (often 0.5–1.5 cm)
• Common on lower legs and upper arms
• Skin may dimple inward when pinched (the classic “dimple sign”) 

Slow-growing tumors
Some soft-tissue tumors, including certain sarcomas, may initially be painless lumps that slowly enlarge. 

Important: Any painless lump that is getting bigger, is deep, or feels firm and fixed needs medical assessment to rule out cancer.

Painful Lumps

Pain increases the chance of inflammation, infection, or injury.

Skin abscess (boil)

• Painful, swollen lump filled with pus
• Often red, warm, and tender
• May be “firm yet squishy” and can drain fluid 

Inflamed or infected cyst

• Previously painless cyst becomes red, painful, and swollen
• Can mimic an abscess and sometimes needs drainage plus antibiotics 

Hematoma or “goose egg” after injury

• Occurs after a bump, fall, or impact
• Blood collects under the skin or in muscle → forms a firm or rubbery lump
• Area may be bruised and sore; often improves gradually over days–weeks 

Inflammatory nodules (erythema nodosum)

• Sudden tender red lumps, typically on the front of the shins
• Nodules start bright red, then change to purple or bluish-brown, then fade over several weeks, similar to bruises 
• Can be associated with infections, medications, pregnancy, inflammatory bowel disease, and other systemic conditions

Soft, Squishy, or Moveable Lumps

• Lipomas – classic cause; soft, rubbery, easily moveable under the skin 
• Epidermoid/other cysts – may feel firm or slightly squishy, often with a central pore
• Small hematomas or fluid collections after injury – can feel soft or rubbery and tender early after trauma

Even “squishy” lumps can be serious if they grow, become painful, or don’t resolve.

Hard Lumps

Hard lump on the shin or leg may represent:

• Bone-related changes
• After a fracture, the healing process forms a bone callus, and the area can feel thicker or more prominent while it remodels. 
• Old or organized hematoma
• Over time, some hematomas feel firmer as blood clots and tissue thickens 
• Dermatofibroma (small, firm skin nodule with dimple sign) 
• Bone or soft-tissue tumors (benign or malignant) 

A hard, fixed lump that is enlarging, deep, or associated with night pain or weight loss is a red flag and should be checked urgently.

Lumps in the Calf or Behind the Knee

Lumps in the calf or popliteal fossa (behind the knee) can include:

• Baker’s cyst (popliteal cyst) – fluid from the knee joint bulges at the back of the knee
• Hematoma from muscle strain or impact
• Varicose veins – lumpy, bulging, twisted superficial veins that can be seen and felt under the skin 
• Infections (abscess, cellulitis)
• Tumors (rare but possible around the knee and calf)

Seek urgent care if a calf lump is associated with:

• Sudden calf pain or tenderness
• Swelling of the leg
• Color change in the leg (red, purple, or very pale)
• Shortness of breath or chest pain (possible blood clot) 

Symptoms and Red Flags

Local Symptoms

A leg lump may come with:

• Pain or tenderness
• Warmth, redness, or discoloration
• Swelling around the lump
• Changes in skin texture (thickening, dimpling, ulceration)
• Fluid drainage (suggests infection)

Erythema nodosum colour change

• Lumps change from red → purple/violaceous → brownish, then fade like bruises over weeks 

Systemic Symptoms

These can suggest infection, inflammation, or cancer:

• Fever or chills
• Fatigue
• Unintentional weight loss
• Night sweats
• Joint pain or swelling

Causes of Leg Lumps

Infectious Causes

• Skin abscess – pus-filled, painful lump, often red and warm; may need incision and drainage plus antibiotics
• Infected cyst – cyst becomes red, tender, and swollen
• Cellulitis – diffuse redness and swelling that may feel firm rather than a discrete lump

Trauma-Related Causes

• Hematoma – collection of blood in soft tissue after injury; feels swollen, rubbery, or firm 
• Muscle tears and contusions – localized swelling and tenderness in muscle
• Bone healing/callus after fracture – healing bone can form a temporary thickened area that may be felt as a lump

Inflammatory Conditions

Erythema nodosum – classic tender nodules on the shins, often linked to infections, medicines, pregnancy, sarcoidosis, or inflammatory bowel disease

• Other autoimmune or rheumatologic diseases may cause nodules or swollen joints.

Benign Growths

• Lipomas – benign fatty tumors; soft, moveable, usually painless
• Epidermoid and other cysts – benign sacs containing keratin or fluid 
• Dermatofibromas – firm, small skin nodules that dimple when pinched; common on lower legs 

Vascular Causes

• Varicose veins – enlarged, twisted, lumpy veins just under the skin, usually on the legs; may ache or itch and can cause localized lumps along the vein

Malignant Tumors 

• Soft-tissue sarcoma – cancer arising from muscle, fat, nerves, or connective tissue in the leg 
• Bone tumors – such as osteosarcoma or Ewing sarcoma
• Skin cancers – e.g., melanoma or squamous cell carcinoma may appear as nodules or thickened plaques

Warning features for possible sarcoma or cancer:

• Lump is deep or not just under the skin
• Lump is firm or hard and fixed
• Size > 5 cm or clearly enlarging
• Persistent or worsening pain
• Associated systemic symptoms (weight loss, night sweats, persistent fatigue) 

Any lump with these features should be evaluated urgently by a doctor, often with imaging and biopsy.

How Lumps on the Leg Are Diagnosed

A clinician will usually:

Take a Detailed History

• When the lump first appeared
• How fast it is growing
• Any injuries to the area
• Pain, redness, warmth, or drainage
• Fever, weight loss, night sweats, or other systemic symptoms

Perform a Physical Examination

• Location: skin, subcutaneous, deep in muscle, or attached to bone
• Size, shape, consistency (soft, rubbery, hard)
• Moveable vs fixed
• Changes in overlying skin (ulceration, dimpling, colour changes)

Imaging Tests

• Ultrasound
• Helps distinguish cystic (fluid-filled) from solid lumps
• Useful for superficial soft-tissue masses
• X-ray
• Evaluates bone involvement or calcifications
• MRI
• Best for deeper or complex soft-tissue masses and for sarcoma workup
• CT scan
• Sometimes used for complex cases or staging of malignancy

Laboratory Tests

When infection or systemic disease is suspected, tests may include:

• Blood counts and inflammatory markers
• Tests for underlying infection
• Specific tests for inflammatory diseases when erythema nodosum or other systemic signs are present

Biopsy

A biopsy is essential to diagnose or rule out cancer:

• Core needle or excisional biopsy for suspected sarcoma or other tumors
• Sometimes used for unusual lipomas, dermatofibromas, or persistent unexplained nodules

When to See a Doctor

Routine (Non-Urgent) Appointment

See a doctor or primary care provider if:

• A lump lasts more than 2 weeks
• The lump gets bigger over time
• It is hard and does not move
• It is painful, red, or hot
• It comes back after removal

Same-Day/Urgent Care

Seek same-day or urgent evaluation if:

• The lump becomes suddenly very painful
• Redness and warmth spread quickly
• You develop a fever with a painful lump (possible abscess or deep infection) 
• A calf lump is associated with swelling, colour change, or new leg pain (possible clot or serious vascular issue)
• The lump is growing quickly or is firm, deep, or >2–5 cm

Emergency Care

Call emergency services or go to an emergency department if:

• The leg becomes cold, pale, numb, or weak
• You cannot move your foot or toes
• There is severe, sudden pain with deformity (suspected fracture or dislocation)
• A varicose vein or wound over a lump bleeds heavily and does not stop

Treatment Options

Treatment depends entirely on the cause. Do not attempt to diagnose or treat a lump at home without medical advice.

Infections (Abscesses and Infected Cysts)

• Antibiotics for bacterial skin infections and some small abscesses
• Incision and drainage for larger or persistent abscesses
• The goal is to release pus and relieve pressure and pain 

Trauma-Related Lumps

• For many minor hematomas or soft-tissue injuries, clinicians may recommend RICE:
• Rest the injured leg
• Ice packs (short intervals, with cloth barrier)
• Compression bandage
• Elevation of the leg above heart level
• More significant hematomas or fractures may require imaging, drainage, or orthopedic care. 

Benign Lumps (Lipomas, Cysts, Dermatofibromas)

• Observation if asymptomatic and clearly benign
• Surgical removal if:
• Painful or repeatedly inflamed
• Rapidly enlarging
• Cosmetically bothersome or uncertain diagnosis

Inflammatory Nodules (Erythema Nodosum)

• Management focuses on treating the underlying cause
• Supportive measures:
• Rest, leg elevation
• Compression/support stockings
• Cool or warm compresses
• NSAIDs (if safe for you)
• In some cases, doctors may prescribe corticosteroids or other medications. 

Varicose Veins

• Lifestyle and conservative measures:
• Leg elevation, exercise, weight management
• Compression stockings
• Procedures (from vascular specialists) can include endovenous ablation, sclerotherapy, or surgery, depending on severity. 

Malignant Tumors

If cancer is suspected:

• Referral to oncology or orthopedic oncology
• Imaging (MRI, CT, sometimes PET) and biopsy
• Treatment may include surgery, radiation, and/or chemotherapy, tailored to tumor type and stage.

What You Should Not Do

• Do not squeeze, puncture, or try to drain a lump yourself — this can spread infection, cause scarring, and delay proper diagnosis.
• Do not ignore a lump that is growing, hard, fixed, or lasting more than a few weeks. 

Possible Complications

If not evaluated and treated appropriately, leg lumps can lead to:

• Spreading infection → cellulitis, sepsis, or tissue damage 
• Chronic pain or limited joint/muscle function
• Permanent skin or soft-tissue changes (scarring, skin breakdown, ulcers over varicose veins) 
• Delayed diagnosis of a malignant tumor, which can worsen outcomes

Can Leg Lumps Be Prevented?

Not all leg lumps can be prevented, but you may reduce risk by:

• Using protective gear and safe techniques during sports or work to limit trauma
• Practicing good skin care and wound care to reduce infection risk
• Managing underlying conditions (e.g., inflammatory bowel disease, autoimmune disease, venous disease) with your healthcare team

Even with prevention, any new lump still warrants attention if it persists or changes.

Frequently Asked Questions 

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