Ledderhose's Disease

It's amazing how complex a disease like Thyroid issues is to the human body!

Decades ago, when I was about to have foot surgery (both feet), I was told there was a growth in the sole of one of my feet and it could be cut out. I had the foot surgery and that was it. It never occurred to me that the problem with my feet stiffening, starting about two years ago, could be anything more than my lack of stretching and massaging the feet.

Tapbelle,
It would be interesting to find out your doctor says about this condition.
Sally

I agree that this foot problem, as described, is something I have not seen before and have been wondering about. What to do? I mean, I am trying to stretch the growths by rolling my foot over a baseball, and it seems to work until it becomes stiff again. I think I have this condition; it fits the description.

This new foot problem and the internet opened up new questions, etc - not my doctor! And yet this information is over a hundred years old! Why isn't someone researching these conditions? I see questions and no follow up! Ughh!
This blog has been so helpful for me!
I am grateful to be able to share and give back to this Community.
Sally

Hashimoto was discovered in 1912. Addison Disease in 1849. Little attention has been paid to these conditions. I was never tested for Hashi in the 1960s. My antibodies still aren't tested. Doctors just assume I have it since it is common for thyroid patients.

Took many years of hounding endo to be tested for Addison's Disease, although I have all the symptoms.

Discoveries don't always lead to better dx and treatment.

This is the first I have heard of this but the information here has given me some new insights.

Thank you,

Jane

Plantar fibromatosis according to Wikipedia, Ledderhose disease was named in 1894.
I too have been hypothyroid for over 50 years and am stunned to find out that I still do not know everything about thyroid conditions ...

I have been hypothyroid for 50+ years and never heard of Ledderhose's Disease, which doesn't surprise me since doctor have come up with names for more conditions over the years.

I have had drop toe/foot when my thyroid levels are low. I was tripping over the toe while walking a few weeks ago. My thyroid levels were low. Endo increased my medication and no more tripping.

I have nodules all over my body. Unsure about my feet cause I can't bend knee or over far enough to reach them. Inflammation in any part of the body can be due to Hashimoto thyroid. Antibodies should be checked. My antibodies, inflammation and arthritis is low, but I still have foot and leg problems.

My kindergarten teacher daughter with untreated thyroid disease has plantar fasciitis and found rolling frozen water bottle under foot helps along with a certain brand of shoe a pt recommended.

Edited by: APPEALSTOME at: 1/26/2019 (23:51)

I had no idea that the palms of my hands were thickening until the PT treating a broken wrist (no healed but ...) mentioned it.

Tapbelle,
The doctor did say that I have fibromatosis. What you describe about your feet is very interesting. My feet are changing. I don't perceive any changes in my hands.
Sally

My nodules are in my arch so they do not make contact with the ground. A concern is that they can over time shorten the tendon and cause the toe to drop. That would be painful and unsafe to walk barefoot. The articles on the internet bring up a cause as thyroid problems but add that there is no proof.

I have hypothyroidism. Until I saw your query, I had not heard of Ledderhose's Disease. For the past two years, the soles of my feet have become stiffer. Could it be due to fibromatosis? I don't know. I seem to have a similar but very minuscule thickening in the palms of my hands. The PT noticed the hands, which made me wonder about my feet. He suggested I use a tennis ball for massaging the feet; and now I am using a slightly soft baseball, which seems to be helping. I do not have any lumps in the soles.

Had my foot appointment with my GP. The nodules in the arch of my foot are benign. It is Ledderhose's disease. (If you get these same nodules in your hand it is call Dubtyrens.) It does not hurt, but it looks scary. I walk 5 miles a day and my right foot does not bother me. I showed it to my dear husband and his reaction was not good, but he scares really easy. I feel bad now that I showed him. No treatment until something changes. Good chance that nothing will ever happen. It does indicate arthritis and inflammation in the plantar. Some say it is connected to thyroid disease, which I do have. This is not proven - yet.

Does anyone else have Ledderhose's Disease?