I am a 56 year old female.I have a lump the size of a pea in my right foot for 7 yrs with no growth,my left foot was the same until recently.3 mths ago it grew rapidly to the size of a half dollar.The back of my ankle burns when I walk.It feels like I'm walking on rocks!I work on my feet 12 hrs a day 5 days a week!! If I don't work I have no pay.I went to an orthopaedic surgeon he said I need surgery. I am freaked out!!! I want to know if I do this how long before I can walk at least 4 hrs a day?He wants to do a partial fasciectomy. Please advise me how long before I can put a shoe on and walk? He offered no other solution.Any advice is appreciated. I made an appointment with a podiatrist surgeon to get a second opinion.Is this wise? Thx!!! So sorry we all find ourselves here!!! I am glad this forum is here!!!

So sorry you are freaking out, but I completely understand. I am in sort of the same situation you are in. I work 12 hour days in a manufacturing plant and stand or walk most of those hours. My doctor wants to do surgery as well, but I am putting that off as long as I can. I would love to be able to try some of the other treatment options I have read about on here, but either my insurance won't pay, or my employer won't approve time off work for them. I have been getting some relief from the inflammation with steroid injections, thick socks, and I get my steel toed shoes 1 size larger than I normally wear. That allows plenty of room for inserts if I want and for the thickest cushy socks I can find. Good luck to you in finding a doctor you are comfortable with and with a treatment option that works for you. One of the most frustrating parts of having this disease, for me, is that no one seems to have the same experience with it.

flojo:

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Hi NenaCindy,

You hit it right when you said this weird disease isn't the same for anyone. Not even my own right hand is very different from my left hand.

Keep coming back to share your experiences. Even if we can't help, we can commiserate with you :-)

As everyone has said it before me....every case is so different. It is such a "weird" disease and having Ledderhose can be very frightening, especially if you have to be on your feet so much. I have had Ledderhose for years on left foot only, and also have Dupuytren's on both hands.

For years (over ten years) I had a small bump on the bottom of my left foot, the size of a pea. I got a cortisone shot years ago (very painful) and kept a watchful eye. I also developed plantar fasciitis on the left heel of same foot (multiple cortisone shots in heel)...and I wore custom made orthodics ordered by my podiatrist. In 2009, A second bump developed right next to the first one and both bumps started to get bigger, harder and also there was constant itching and burning on the bottom of the foot...I read everything I could about it on this forum and did some research, and concerned that it would interfere with walking, I decided to go for radiation therapy.

Had radiation on left foot (and at the same time on left hand) November 2009 at Scripps Hospital in LaJolla, CA with Dr. Tripuraneni. The two bumps on foot are 90 percent gone. What is left is smaller, softer and the itching and burning completely stopped. I believe to be in remission for now.

Hope this helps.

I had the best experience with radiotherapy, especially after failing one surgical procedure, which I would never do again.
My Ledderhose on both feet is well controlled after radiotherapy ...