plantar fascial fibromatosis; Ledderhose's disease

Etiology

• phenytoin may be risk factor

Epidemiology

• relatively uncommon, rare
• 10-fold higher incidence in males
• higher incidence in Caucasians
• more common in the elderly

Pathology

• benign thickening of plantar fascia
• initially nodules or cords start growing along tendons of the foot
• eentually, the cords thicken, the toes stiffen & bend, & walking becomes painful

Genetics

• may be familial predisposition

Management

• orthotics
• glucocorticoid injections may slow progression
• surgical excision of fibrous tissue is difficult
  • post surgical radiation therapy may diminish recurrence

More general terms

• fibrosis