Findings

Plantar fibromatosis is named after the German surgeon Prof. Dr. Georg Ledderhose following his report on a Dupyutren-like disease of the foot sole in 1897. As it is the case for Dupuytren’s disease of the palm, aetiology remains largely unknown to date[1]. A familiar disposition might account for a higher risk. Furthermore, patients suffering from Dupuytren’s contracture may simultaneously present with plantar fibromatois, knuckle pads on the dorsum of the fingers and penile fibromatosis (Peyronie’s disease).

Similar to Dupuytren’s disease of the hand, where in early stages nodules are evident, plantar fibromatosis yields 1-2cm nodules located typically on the medial side of the foot arch. Therapeutically, radiotherapy as well as surgery have been applied in a number of cohort studies and case series with inconsistent results. A cohort study from the Netherlands reported on 27 patients with plantar fibromatosis who underwent 40 operations on 33 feet[2]. The overall recurrence rate was 60%. Combining surgery and radiotherapy was studied in another report. However, as stated by the authors, radiotherapy was associated with a significantly impaired functional status in 50% of the patients[3]. A German cohort report with 25 patients found 44% less nodules 38months following 30Gy radiotherapy[4]. Besides, pain was reduced in 60% of the patients. Adverse effects reported were dry skin and slight erythema following radiotherapy. To date, the role of alternative therapeutic options in Ledderhose’s disease is undetermined.

Penile fibromatosis referred to as Peyronie’s disease affects middle-aged men between 40 and 60 years with penile pain, curvature during erection and potentially erectile dysfunction. Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT), which was introduced from urologists in order to destroy kidney stones, has been tested in penile fibromatosis (Evidence level Ib)[5]. Another study reported that about half of all ESWT treated patients had a significant reduction in penile angulation[6]. Given these observations in penile fibromatosis, we started to perform a randomized-controlled trial to evaluate high-energy focussed ESWT in palmar fibromatosis, Dupuytren’s contracture (DupuyShock)[7].

Given the similiarities of penile and plantar fibromatosis in a histological and clinical perspective, we sought to evaluate the effects of high-energy focussed ESWT on plantar fibromatosis in a pilot series, which is presented herein.

Research hypothesis

Given the aforementioned effect in penile fibromatosis, we hypothesize that high-energy focussed extracorporeal shock wave therapy is able to reduce pain in plantar fibromatosis (Ledderhose’s disease).

Methods

High-energy focussed ESWT was applied without anesthesia using a Storz Duolith SD1 device in two therepeutic sessions with a week interval in between with the following settings (Figures1 and2):

  • Number of shockwaves: 2000 impulses

  • Frequency: 3 Hertz

  • Energy flux density 1.24 mJ/mm2

Figure 1
figure 1

Plantar fibromatosis as Ledderhose’s disease in a bilateral setting in a male patient with concomitant severe bilateral Dupuytren’s contracture.

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Figure 2
figure 2

High-energy focussed extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT, Storz Duolith SD1) in plantar fibromatosis (Ledderhose’s disease).

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Patients were allowed to walk or sport following ESWT therapy. All patients documented pain in the morning on a visual analogue scale (VAS 0–10) on a daily basis.

Results

A total number of six patients (5 males, 58±4 years) were included with plantar fibromatosis associated with pain. Three patients were operated on before. High-energy focussed ESWT was applied using a Storz Duolith SD1 (2000 impulses, 3 Hz, 1,25 mJ/mm2) for 1–3 sessions. Pain was 6±2 at baseline for at mean 4±2 months and 2±1 after 14 days (p<0,05, Figure3). At three months follow-up, pain was 1±1. Softening of the nodules was noted by all patients. No adverse effects were noted. We found no meaningful difference in the outcome of Ledderhose patients with or without previous plantar surgery.

Figure 3
figure 3

Pain daily log during two high-energy focussed ESWT sessions at day 0 and day 7.

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Conclusion

High-energy focussed extracorporeal shockwave energy reduces pain in painful plantar fibromatosis. Further large-scale prospective trials are warranted to elucidate the value of high-energy focussed extracorporeal shockwave therapy in plantar fibromatosis in terms of recurrence and efficacy.

Consent

Written informed consent was obtained from the patient for publication of this report and any accompanying images.

Ethical approval

This pilot case series was in compliance with the Helsinki Declaration. This pilot case series was done with an approved CE-certified medical device and the local ethical committee gave approval as case series.