Ledderhose Disease: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Medically reviewed by Harsha Moole, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.

What kind of doctor treats Ledderhose Disease?

A podiatrist, a doctor who treats foot problems, or an orthopedic surgeon, a doctor who treats bones and joints, can care for Ledderhose disease. A physical therapist, a rehab and movement specialist, may also help. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.

What is Ledderhose disease?

Ledderhose disease, also called plantar fibromatosis, causes lumps, called nodules, to form on the soles of the feet. The plantar fascia is the thick band of tissue along the sole that supports the arch of the foot. The lumps grow in this band.

The condition is rare and benign, which means it is not cancer. The lumps grow gradually. Ledderhose disease typically affects both feet. It progresses slowly, but not indefinitely. The lumps are often painless at first, but they can become painful.

Ledderhose disease belongs to a group of conditions called fibromatoses. These conditions involve too much growth of collagen, a tough protein in connective tissue, and of fibroblasts, the cells that make it. Dupuytren contracture of the hand and Peyronie disease of the penis are in the same group.

Symptoms

The main sign is a lump, or nodule, on the sole of the foot. The lumps are hard and round or flattened. Common features include:

  • Lumps that usually form in the central and inner part of the sole.
  • Often no pain, because the lumps are often painless.
  • Pain or discomfort when walking, if the lumps start to hurt.
  • Pain that gets in the way of running, standing, or walking.

The lumps can become painful when they grow into nearby nerves, muscles, or tendons, the cords that join muscle to bone. The lumps do not spread to other parts of the body.

Causes and who gets it

The cause of Ledderhose disease is not fully understood. A hereditary susceptibility, meaning a tendency passed down in families, may play a part. It has been linked to injury, diabetes, use of anticonvulsants, which are seizure medicines, frozen shoulder, alcohol use, and liver disease.

It is seen most often in middle-aged and older adults. Men get it about twice as often as women. It rarely affects children.

How doctors diagnose it

A doctor will examine the foot. Ultrasound, a scan that uses sound waves, usually confirms the diagnosis. It is a quick and safe way to support the exam, and the doctor compares what it shows with your symptoms. MRI, a detailed scan that uses magnets, is used for more aggressive and advanced types.

Doctors also need to tell it apart from other foot problems. In plantar fasciitis, the thickening is usually where the band meets the heel bone. Ledderhose lumps usually appear in the middle of the foot.

Treatment

Treatment depends on your symptoms. Non-surgical care is useful for most people. If a lump causes no symptoms, doctors may just watch it over time.

If you have pain or trouble walking, options include:

  • Anti-inflammatory medicines, which ease pain and swelling.
  • Physical therapy.
  • Custom-made orthotics or pads, which spread pressure across the foot and take stress off the plantar fascia.
  • Cryotherapy, a freezing treatment.
  • Steroid injections, which seem to shrink the lumps but do not seem to stop them from coming back.

Radiation therapy and shock wave therapy have also been tried. Skin dryness has been reported after radiation to the foot. A review notes that strong long-term studies of these treatments are still lacking.

If other care does not work, surgery may be considered. There are several kinds, from a local to a complete fasciectomy, which removes plantar fascia tissue. The lumps often come back after surgery. Painful scars and nerve injury with lasting tingling are possible problems.

When to see a doctor

See a doctor if you find a lump on the sole of your foot. Get care if the lumps hurt or make walking hard. A lump that looks unusual or aggressive should be checked soon, because doctors need to consider other, more serious growths.

Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you have trouble breathing, chest pain, fainting, or sudden, severe pain anywhere in the body.

How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in

A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. Either type of doctor can examine your foot, review your health conditions and medicines, and refer you to a foot specialist. They can also follow up to see whether the lumps change over time.

Common questions

Is Ledderhose disease cancer?

No, it is a benign condition, which means it is not cancer. The lumps do not spread to other parts of the body.

Yes, the two are related. Both are fibromatoses, a group of conditions with too much growth of collagen and fibroblasts. Dupuytren contracture affects the hand, and Ledderhose disease affects the foot.

Do the lumps come back after surgery?

Yes, the lumps often come back after surgery. Doctors expect this can happen, so they usually try non-surgical care first.

Is Ledderhose disease common?

No, it is a rare condition. It is seen most often in middle-aged and older adults, and men get it about twice as often as women.

Sources

  1. NIH Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center (GARD) - Plantar fibromatosis (Ledderhose disease)
  2. PubMed Central (National Library of Medicine) - Ledderhose’s Disease: An Up-to-Date Review of a Rare Non-Malignant Disorder

Medical Disclaimer

This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.