Drumhead,
I want to thank you for your feelings and sharing what you have gone through and what you have learned through all of this and what works for you.
I know what you mean about the sharp pains. Re: the ladder episode, I too got on a ladder for a day and helped build our back yard patio cover. MISTAKE! Suffered for many days. Will never do a ladder again, if I can help it!

I have an appointment with my podiatrist tomorrow.
Your right about the ibuprofen. This has been a big concern for me so I am going to ask her about the Lyrica.

I also agree with you re: the nerves on the bottom of our feet. I use to do reflexology and was amazed how this all connected to our body and how many nerve endings are on the bottom of our feet and the palms of our hands.

Thanks again for the heads up.
Wendy

I am sorry I never got back to you. My Mom passed away the day before my appointment so I had to cancel. I will reschedule soon and get back to you.
How did the finger surgery go on the 2nd?

I just found your topic..MY topic. 4 yrs ago I had my first pea-sized nodule. This became huge (walnut sized) on my left foot, and smaller but more nodules on my right. First surgery was fine (both feet), but nodules returned fast and BIG. Second surgery was left foot only, and removed nodules that grew so fast that they covered the entire bottom of my mid-foot, and along the inside also. Bummer. They started growing back almost immediately. I talked to several different typed of MD's, but everyone is clueless. I badgered my orthopedic surgeon,and last summer I had radiation on my left foot the day after my third surgery. This was the most painful thing I've ever done! Radiation lasted two weeks, stitches came out a few days later. I DO NOT have regrowth on this foot!!! He removed the plantar fascia also, which makes it imperative to put some insole into all shoes or wear tennis shoes with good soles. My right foot is growing rapidly, and the nodules are again so large that they are running together to form a solid mass. I dread it, but surgery is my only option, and it will be followed immediately with radiation again. I became my own guinea pig because I read everything I could about this. Don't rule out surgery, but don't go at it half-way....it is truly a waste of time.
Remove plantar fascia and do radiation therapy after surgery.
57 year-old female in GREAT health. History of Dup in Mom's family, but no Ledderhose. I do not drink at all, am not diabetic, or epileptic, so I don't no where all that mess comes from in the literature.
Surgery: My last one was very invasive and long (per my MD). Recovery without radiation wasn't long or bad. Recovery with radiation took longer..."blue boot" for two weeks, then ace type wrap for a week, then bandaids over scars for about a week. TENDER feet for a month.
Ask me anything, and I'll tell you anything if you think it will help. I had very bad Ledderhose, not just a few small nodules.

You are soooo correct. I knew little to nothing about radiation, but quickly realized that your suggestion would have made a great difference. AFTER my therapy, I told my radiologist he was a monster, and should have waited for my foot to heal first. His response was that radiation stopped the growth quicker this way. MY response was that I could stand a few pea-sized initial nodules if they started to appear, but that the intense pain associated with radiation too soon after surgery was not acceptable. He didn't like thiat, but he's not the one walking around on a foot that feels like a meat cleaver has been used.
Next surgery, I will wait 2 weeks (stitches come out then), and begin radiation. As much a I suffered the firs time, I really don't have any regrowth. The surgery with radiation was August, 2008.
Also, I have a small ndule on my right hand between my thumb and forefinger. It is (and was) not a problem, but I convinced my radiologist to zap it, too. It did shrink a noticeable amount, and is not growing as of yet. I asked him to radiate my right foot, which had only small nodules at the time, but he would not. He said that if surgery was necessary in the future, that the healing process would be in jeopardy. (Makes sense.)
I really wish someone could find the reason for this malady, because I have children that might have to undergo the same surgical process.
I am hypothyroid. I see this mentioned quite a bit, but males don't usually mention this.

Australia Callling, Hi lildeb.
I was very interested in your post of your radiotherapy after surgery. You mention it was administered within a 14 day period after surgery. Do you know the total Gy of radiation administered? You should make a note for any future reference. The treatment you mention is not dissimiliar to that for the treatment of Keloids and Hypertropic Scar removal. The radiation is administered within 24 hours after surgery over a period of 10 to 14 days with low dose radiation total of between 10 -20 Gy. It could be that your oncologist has done you a favour, as the scar tissue will be reduced significantly. I had a keloid develope after a repeat hand surgery on both my thumb and index finger which was very painfull. After RT the raised scar tissue shrunk back to the the level of remaining untreated tissue. You mention that you have to use soft innersoles and soft runners . I did a Google search and a German silicone spray on product might be of help. The product is called Kelo-cote (scar gel or spray. )They say that there is enough for daily application fo 12 weeks. To be applied when the stitches are removed. It is like another layer of skin and is much better than silicone pads. It may be worth investigating. It is availiable world wide. Regards from down under.