Steve,
Don't do the foot surgery unless you just can't bear the situation. Foot surgery has many more problems for most people than DC. The arches in my feet are much better now that I know more about the problem and take much better care of my arches. I no longer even know that the nodules exist. They used to be the size of marbles, but now are almost gone and I don't feel them. Type of shoes are very important. Walking barefoot causes problems, especially stairs or in sand. When you have the burning sensation, it means that you have torn tissue and damaged the nodule.

Steve,
First, a person never knows for sure they are doing the "right thing" with either Dupuytren's or Ledderhose Disease. There are many periods when both diseases can become dormant and often people are convinced they are on to something (a cure) when it could just be coinciding with a dormant period.
I have found a pair of shoes (New Balance Walkers) that work for me (no arch stress) and for five years have not switched. I've probably gone through 15 pair during that time frame. I avoid anything that stretches the arch to the point of damage. My first recollection that I had an arch problem was feeling a burning sensation while going down a flight of stairs barefooted. Had the same feeling while walking in sand barefooted. Similar feelings while using a shovel with shoes that didn't have enough arch support. Normal activities of walking or running have been fine except when overdoing. For me, it is worth giving up the extra activities to give a few more years to my feet.

I too have a lump on the bottom of my arch on my left foot. I believe it is hereditary and I have heard that it can be mis-diagnosed as arthritis. My mother has had 11 foot surgeries (6 on one foot and 5 on the other) and 2 surgeries on her one hand. I first found the lump on my left foot when I was 32 (1997) and had the surgery done that same year by an orthopaedic surgeon as it quickly became uncomfortable walking. My surgeon didn't believe in physio and my recovery took about 3-4 months before I could walk without discomfort. It was back within a year in the same spot and this time I went to a plastic surgeon. (I went to physio as soon as the stitches were out and was back running within 3.5 wks). I was clear for about 3 yrs then it came back slowly, but it has really started to bug me in the last 2 months. It isn't very big - I looked at some of the pictures on the net and saw how bad it can look on the foot - I would describe mine as a one inch lump on my arch. It's not nearly as bad as what I saw in photos, which makes me wonder if I should be considering surgery at what might be considered an early stage, however it has effected me adversely. I run quite regularly though and since the lump has always been on my left foot, it's always my left side that gives me trouble and keeps putting me back in the chiropractor's office. I wear orthotics and avoid bare feet. Any ways, I'm back in the plastic surgeon's office for a consult and will ask more questions, but expect that I will have the surgery again. The thing that really concerns me is that I am at least 10 yrs younger than my mother was when she found her first lump on her foot. Mine keeps coming back around the surgical incision.

Sharp, radiating, but short-lived pain after walking for about an hour or so, and just intermittently, at other times. Sometimes a more generalised ache in the area. Is this what other sufferers feel?

My experience is very similar to Sean's. Buying good shoes is a key. (Rockport, Ecco, NB) I also wear prescription orthotics which ease some of the stress. I can't go barefoot.