Ask a doctor on the topic of Orthopedics

Ledderhose disease on the soles of the feet

April 13, 2010 | 10,00 EUR | answered by bac.med.na Pablo Vivanco

Dear expert,
I am female, 46 years old, overweight (yes, I know) - just under 90 kilos at 171 cm height.
Overall, I feel very well, have no complaints, except for these foot pains, which have been described by the orthopedist as "Ledderhose disease". The pain is very intermittent, meaning there are days and weeks when my feet do not hurt at all, but there are also days when they hurt almost constantly, it is a pulling and pressing pain, at worst leading to a kind of cramp - similar to a calf cramp, but on the soles of the feet (worse on the left than on the right). My question: what treatment do you suggest? The orthopedist was pleased to finally see this rare condition "in real life", said he only knew it from books, recommended surgery with little chance of lasting success (it can come back) and predicted a lengthy healing process. He did not know of any alternatives... I had received a similar response two years earlier from another orthopedist. What now? In my observation, these nodules on the soles of the feet are increasing, similar to pearls on a string. However, this development has been going on for years.
Kind regards, awaiting your recommendation
B. W.

bac.med.na Pablo Vivanco

Good day, so really very difficult, the whole thing, but there are conservative treatments such as shock wave therapy, laser therapy, cryotherapy (cold) but without scientific evidence. In addition, there are also irradiations, but it must be said that side effects must be expected. These can be, for example, scar formation or scar abscess etc. However, weight reduction would also be important. So the decision is entirely up to you, I do not want to take any responsibility. Make the best of it. All the best and much success Pablo Vivanco