Ledderhose disease

Plantar fibromatosis or Ledderhose's disease (named after George Ledderhose who first described it in 1894) is a benign condition of unknown aetiology

• been associated with alcohol dependence, diabetic mellitus, liver dysfunction, use of anticonvulsants, and genetic factors
• also associated with Dupuytren's contracture and penile fibromatosis or Peyronie's disease
• characterized by localized aggressive proliferation of the connective tissue which produces collagen fibers, leading to the formation of lump or nodules over the sole of the foot
  • nodule is usually slow growing and does not metastasize
  • similar pattern of disease is noted in Dupuytren's disease (DD) of the hand in which the palmar aponeurosis is affected
    • smilarity of the disease has led to Ledderhose disease to be even known as DD of the foot
    • incidence of Ledderhose disease is nearly 15% in patients with Dupuytren's (2)

Reference:

• de Bree E, Zoetmulder FA, Keus RB, Peterse HL, van Coevorden F. Incidence and treatment of recurrent plantar fibromatosis by surgery and postoperative radiotherapy. Am J Surg. 2004;187:33-8.
• Trybus M, Bednarek M, Budzynski P, Gniadek M, Lorkowski J. Concomitance of ledderhose's disease with dupuytren's contracture. Own experience. PrzeglLek. 2012;69:663-6