Exercises
In order to stretch and mobilize the connective tissue of the foot independently, certain aids are particularly suitable. Pain may occur, but should always remain within tolerable limits. The pressure can be dosed either by letting the leg that is not to be treated lose some of its body weight or by performing the exercise in a one-legged position.
(e.g. hold it in the door frame). Since Ledderhose disease often occurs on both sides, both feet can also be treated. One set should last about 20-30 seconds, and can be repeated 3-4 times, if necessary several times a day. More exercises can be found in the articles:
- Morbus Ledderhose – exercises
- Exercises against forefoot pain
- Pain in the ball of the foot
- On the one hand you can use a hedgehog ball and roll it vigorously over the affected parts of the sole of your foot.
- On the other hand, a fascia roll can be used. Here, too, it is useful to use your own body weight as pressure and then roll the affected area several times, slowly and intensively.
Foot malpositions
The hardening of the tissue can impair the foot position, but Ledderhose disease rarely has a direct effect on the joints, while contractures are more common in the hand in Dupuytren’s disease. If a malpositioning of the arch of the foot occurs due to the proliferation of connective tissue, surgery is usually indicated to avoid increased stress on the ankles. Post-operative treatment is more complex, since the foot must first be relieved.
Pain in the ball of the foot
Nodules can form throughout the entire plantar aponeurosis and, depending on their location, may cause pain.Since we roll from the outer edge of the heel to the metatarsophalangeal joint of the big toe during physiological walking, a high weight is placed on the ball of the foot. If knots have formed in this area as part of a lederhosen disease, walking can cause considerable pain in this area. A medical diagnosis is necessary, if not already done, because other diseases can also cause pain in the ball of the foot.
Orthopedic relieving insoles can help if necessary. It is important to maintain the gait pattern as physiologically as possible in spite of the pain in order to avoid additional stress on other structures and thus prevent consequential damage. In cases of resistant, severe pain, surgery may be advisable, in which the entire plantar aponeurosis is partially removed. After immobilization, the arch of the foot, which may have been affected by the operation, should be rebuilt.