The connective tissue disease Morbus Ledderhose, in which hard knots grow under the soles of the feet, is quite bizarre. For those affected, however, the benign growths are often annoying, painful and impair the ability to walk. We tell you all the signs here.
Ledderhose disease is a connective tissue disease of the sole of the foot that causes benign growths in the form of hardened knots and cords on the underside of the foot. The disease usually progresses over many years. Meanwhile, the knots grow in spurts. Surgical removal of the growths is usually not possible because the deposits have sometimes grown deep into the tissue and foot muscles. Morbus Ledderhose is one of the fibromatoses, which describe benign but rapidly growing connective tissue proliferations in which fascia and connective tissue stick together, contract and are intergrown with deposits. Although Morbus Ledderhose is a benign disease, the bumps and nodules under the feet are sometimes very restrictive and annoying for those affected. Long walking or standing may vary depending on the number, The size and location of the hardening can be painful. The most common signs and effects of the disease can be found here.
By the way : The disease is named after the Munich surgeon Georg Ledderhose, who first described the clinical picture in 1894.
Table of Contents
These are 4 signs of Ledderhose’s disease
1. Nodules on the sole of the foot
The clearest and most characteristic feature of the disease are nodules in the tissues of the sole of the foot. Deposits grow in the connective tissue of the feet, which penetrate the tissue at different depths depending on the severity and duration of the disease. The deposits, which can be felt as knots, bumps and hardening and can often be seen with the naked eye, occur under the skin of the soles. In some cases, hardened cords form along the plantar connective tissue. These knotty strands sometimes cause the entire area to contract, which can cause individual toes to contract. The benign connective tissue growths only occur on one foot in the majority of those affected.
2. Impaired ability to walk
The lumps and growths on the sole of the foot grow over many years in most cases. What are initially only small, hardened lumps can become large knots that impair walking ability after several years. Depending on the severity of the disease, the nodules grow firmly together with the sole skin and the muscles. The ability to walk can sometimes be significantly impaired. According to the position and location of the knots and connective tissue strands, the stepping and normal rolling over the ball of the foot can be disturbed.
3. Pain on occurrence and inflammation
Morbus Ledderhose is sometimes noticeable through pain under the sole of the foot. In some cases, painful pressure points then trigger inflammation around the knots. This can limit walking ability even further. In many cases, specially made, soft shoe inserts are used to relieve the pain. These reduce the pressure on the sensitive nodules, pain-free walking is then possible again. Other treatment options for painful connective tissue growths under the sole of the foot include steroid injections or the administration of anti-rheumatic drugs.
Also interesting: Remove and prevent warts >>
4. Knots and tough strands on the hand
Morbus Ledderhose as a benign change in connective tissue only affects the soles of the feet. In some sufferers, however, the disease occurs together with a very similar fibromatosis: Dupuytren’s disease. This condition causes knots and hard strands to form in the connective tissue of the palms of the hands. The areas in the middle of the hand and around the ring finger are particularly affected. The knots very often lead to contractions of the fingers.
Tips for pressure pain
If hard nodules and strands on the soles of your feet cause pressure pain and make standing, walking or prolonged sporting activity uncomfortable, orthopedic shoe inserts can sometimes help. For example, try the insoles from Marol , which have been shown to relieve the pain of heel spurs. The insoles can be easily cut to the right size.
Also popular are the orthopedic insoles from Valsole , which support the footbed and can relieve pressure pain. The insoles are available in many different sizes. In any case, it is advisable to consult a doctor or orthopedist to discuss individual treatment options.
