Ledderhose Disease: Diagnosis, Treatment & Radiotherapy

Ledderhose disease, also called plantar fibromatosis or Dupuytren’s of the foot, is a benign thickening of the connective tissue (fascia) in the sole of your foot. It typically starts as a small lump, called a plantar fibroma, in the arch of your foot and may not affect your life for some time. However, as the nodule grows larger it can cause tenderness and pain, especially when standing or walking. 25% of patients with the condition exhibit symptoms in both feet.

A large medical linear accelerator sits in a clean, well-lit radiation therapy room, used for treating conditions like Dupuytren’s contracture symptoms, with a treatment couch under the machine and safety indicators on the walls.

Symptoms and causes of Ledderhose disease

Ledderhose disease usually occurs in middle-aged and older people, though it can develop in younger adults too.

A smiling middle-aged man with short gray hair, wearing a white shirt, light gray vest, watch, and backpack, stands outdoors in a sunlit, wooded area—unaware of potential Dupuytren’s contracture symptoms that can affect hand mobility.
A doctor in a white coat with a stethoscope around their neck writes on a clipboard at a desk, possibly reviewing causes of Dupuytrens disease, with only their torso and hands visible.

Diagnosis and treatments for Ledderhose disease

Your doctor should be able to confirm a diagnosis of Ledderhose disease after physical examination of the foot, as the location and appearance of the nodules are characteristic of the condition.

Radiotherapy for Ledderhose disease

Radiotherapy, or radiation treatment, is a non-invasive procedure which uses high energy X-rays and other beams, such as electrons, to treat disease. It’s most often used in high doses to treat cancer, but it can also be used in lower doses to treat non-cancerous (benign) conditions including Ledderhose disease of the foot.

A modern hospital room features a large white medical machine for radiation therapy, often used in Dupuytrens contracture treatment UK, with an adjustable treatment table and organized cabinets along the wall. The space is well-lit and orderly.

Most UK Medical Insurances Cover This Treatment

Radiotherapy treatment at Dupuytren’s UK is covered by most major private medical insurance providers and we also offer a range of self-pay options.

Your treatment at Dupuytren’s UK can be funded by a number of private medical insurance providers including Bupa, Vitality and WPA. Other private medical insurance providers may fund your treatment on a case-by-case basis. All our services are available for patients who are looking to self-pay too. We accept a variety of payment methods and will provide you with a detailed quote for your treatment. If you’d like an estimate of the costs for your care, contact us through the “Contact” page.

Find your nearest centre

Appointments with Dr Shaffer take place in London, Guildford and Nottingham. Treatment can be delivered in any of 15 centres around the UK (Birmingham, Bristol, Cambridge, Chelmsford, Cromwell, Elstree, Guildford, London Cromwell, Wimbledon Cancer Centre London,  Maidstone, Milton Keynes, Nottingham, Oxford, Portsmouth, Southampton, Windsor). See below for details:

Exterior view of Cromwell Hospital in London, surrounded by lush green trees.

London - Cromwell Hospital

164-178 Cromwell Road, SW5 0TU

Wimbledon Cancer Centre London

49 Parkside, London SW19 5NB

Guilford BMI St. Martha Oncology Centre, Genesis Care

Guildford - GenesisCare Surrey

Rosalind Franklin Close, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 7AW

Nottingham - The Park Centre Oncology

Sherwood Lodge Drive, NG5 8RX