christine477; I am 58 and I also am a keen tennis player. Currently I play 3 times a week. I have dupuytrens in both hands and ledderhose both feet.

I am a bit confused by your reference to gel heal pads as my understanding is that ledderhose nodules normally form in the arch of the foot. In my case I have squash ball size nodules in the arches of both feet that extend down to be level with my heals. This was a problem when they first formed as they would blister from friction in my shoes when playing sport. Over time the surface has hardened and they now give me no problems.

My sense is that it is best to leave the feet alone but if you nodules are in your heals that would be a different problem again.

With your hands its seems that people in this forum that have the conditions that you describe prefer RT. I haven't tried RT and don't think it would work for me as I have dupuytren issues along the sides of the fingers as well as in the palms of my hands but it could be a good option for you. I am off for my third NA procedure next month.

My suggestion is that you explore all the other options before surgery.

Edited 10/11/12 07:51

christine477:

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I have had Dupuytrens diagnosed in hands and have nodules in feet. I have not been diagnosed with Ledderhose, but am assuming that the nodules are plantar fibrosa or ledderhose.

I called a podiatrist who works with runners at a local footware store. He asked how many nodules and suggested I see a dermatologist and get a biopsy. I have maybe four to six nodules in each foot.

I am soon to be 65 and retired. I have been taking advantage of retirement to play tennis and recently playing way too much. As a result my hands and feet have become sore. In the past, although I could feel the small nodules in my hand and the somewhat larger nodules in my feet (maybe the size and shape of a pumpkin seed), they were not painful.

From reading the forum, I have a feeling it may be better to address these issues before they become worse. I also get the feeling I should avoid surgery. I found one post indicating that acupuncture had eliminated the nodules. I found many more recommending radiation therapy. I get the feeling that topical application of veramcil (or something spelled similarly is not effective.

I already have custom orthotics and use gel heal pads.

I don't want to stop playing tennis (although my knees now need attention). I live in Cincinnati,Ohio, and recently enrolled in Humana Medicare effective November 2011.

I would appreciate any input to a novice in this arena.

Thanks. Chris

Larry; The ledderhose growths are a large mass on my feet that fill roughly half the area in the arch of my feet. No longer causing problems so I'll leave them alone for now but if they start to grow again I'll try RT.

And spanishbuddha; I hadn't seen tennis gloves before. I'll give them a try if they can get my fingers straight enough to wear them when I get my NA done next month. In a way I have created the same thing by triple gripping my racquet handles. The grip ends up huge but soft and not a problem for my bent fingers.