Hi Brenda,

as you are already into reading here are two more yahoo forums that might be interesting for you:

plantarfibromatosis
ledderhose_disease

I guess you need to register at yahoo to have access.

Always recommendable for an overview: www.dupuytren-online.info (it also addresses Ledderhose).

Wolfgang

About a month ago I found a small lump on the arch of my left foot. Went to a foot doctor who said it might be plantar fibromatosis, he measured it (less than 1cm), told me to watch it and come back in 2 months. I got on this forum and read about arnica cream and have been trying it 3 times a day on the bottom of my foot. Can't see that it really is working---how long does it usually take to see a difference? Also went to my chiropractor who gave me exercises for the plantar fibrosis, which I have also been doing. I am use to walking twice a day about a mile, and have continued that. Before this lump developed I use to run in the morning and walk in the evening. I have since stopped the running and bought better shoes geared to help with the plantar fibrosis (New Balance 843). The lump doesn't hurt--it's just I know it is there. Does anyone know any other remedies for these bumps or any other suggestions I can try? Thanks!

Hi Bob,

I can so much relate to "Both feet are very stiff in the morning and after being off them for even as little as 15 minutes. It is also sometimes painful when they are in a growth mode - sharp, repeated shooting pain very briefly, usually at night.", I could have written that myself. I wasn't sure whether my aching feet are a result of Ledderhose because the pain had started probably 1-2 years before I detected my first nodule. But now it is the third time I read about this pain after resting and I start to believe it is possibly a typical side effect of Ledderhose. Interesting.

Have you ever considered cryotherapy? Dr. Goldstein, who did David's feet, is located in NJ, possibly still within driving distance (well, maybe not for a 1-day round trip ...). Cryotherapy seems to be able to reduce the nodule's size and, by killing nerve ends, also to reduce pain. But maybe waiting a little more for longer term results from David would make sense.

As mentioned elsewhere I am a little sceptic about NA's benefit for Ledderhose. NA can break cords but I doubt its use for big, possibly inflamed Ledderhose nodules. Ledderhose may have the same root cause but it still is different from Dupuytren, probably due to the frequent and loaded use of the feet as Keith Denkler pointed out recently. Sometimes in the future a collagenase shot might help. Nowadays collagenase might have a hard time competing with NA for treating Dupuytren cords but it would be great if it became a good therapy for Ledderhose.

Thanks for your interesting post!

Wolfgang

My son just had Plantar fibroma surgery this past Friday. Prior to his surgery they tried to drain it but it was too hard. He has a follow-up today - no weight bearing for 6-8 weeks. Stitches will be in for at least another 2 weeks (I think) The doctor took part of the fascia out as well to decrease the possibility of it coming back again - very painful after surgery - they do try to shrink it first before going into surgery (my sons was about 8mm. Will know more today when I take him to the doctor.

And now I can't wear my fancy insoles on a plane because they have a gell interior and might blow up the plane:((