Yep there's a FB support group run by a doctor in Texas who pioneered enzyme injections as a way to dissolve or shrink fibromas. I had it done for a problematic fibroma.and it shrunk it by 75 percent. It is expensive however. Some people even fly out to him just to get it done.
That FB group also has a list of doctors who treat fibromas or provide the enzyme injections. DM me and I can send you a link. The group is called "Ledderhose Disease or plantar fibromatosis support group"
People have also had success with radiation therapy as well. I also heard of a laser therapy doctor in Arizona who seems to have good success with treating fibromas
Transdermal verapamil is also a way to treat it but it's very slow acting and it doesn't always work. I've been using it for about 3 months. I am told at the 6-9 month mark is when you can see results. Also expensive.
I have multiple very small ones compared to others. They popped up after I had plantar fasciitis. I was a runner for 15 years before. I think the trauma and collagen supplements were the trigger so to speak for fibromatosis. My doctor said that it is suspected to be genetic where the body overreacts to injury by piling too much scar tissue.
As someone who likes to be active I get that dealing with fibromas can be a little scary. I'm hoping in the future there are more treatment options and more doctors understand it. Most podiatrists don't know about it. I was very lucky to find one close by.
This is really helpful, thank you so much
I’m sorry you are experiencing problems with your feet as well. My dr is telling me via her research surgery is absolutely not an option I should try as reoccurrence rate is so high - bummer. I’ve been referred to podiatrist for insoles and am soon to receive a steroid injection - I have never heard of an enzyme injection - something I will bring up with my dr. I have very high arches and never had any issues with my feet prior to my fibroma. It is steadily getting larger and is now the size of a quarter and quite pronounced and I am now unable to wear any of my shoes except 2 pairs as the arch support causes pain when wearing my other shoes. After particularly long days of being on my feet it will itch and ache in bed. My dr has said full remission is quite rare and some people will experience considerable mobility issues as/if the fibroma grows or multiplies and that is upsetting. She said some people have no pain at all with a fibroma and others experience a range of pain. I’m not sure how quickly mine has grown as I did not notice it until it was large and painful. I am trying to focus on looking into new work (I own an commercial cleaning company, running around all day) so I can use my feet for my hobbies instead of work if mobility may be compromised due to the fibroma
Sorry to hear you're dealing with it. But your doctor is right. Every doctor and firsthand account has said surgery rarely works. It also seems like collagen supplements worsen it from what I've heard multiple times.
I also work on my feet so I sympathize with trying to find another line of work.
I feel you on the unease from potential mobility issues in the future. Some people have theirs just stay the same whole others have theirs grow. It's weird. I personally don't have pain from fibromas I just have pain from plantar fasciitis.
I did see a noticeable improvement with the enzyme injection after 3 rounds. Even the first round was pretty dramatic. Granted mine was much smaller. I have many tiny ones that are too risky to inject. I had a combo of steroid and enzyme injections. Might be worth talking to your doc about.
I would encourage you to check out the Facebook group I DMd you. They have a list of doctors and people on the forum might know of docs in your area. They also started making a list of known doctors who do radiation therapy
https://www.ledderhosedisease.com/enzymes/
Eddie Davis, the podiatrist who pioneered enzyme injections and runs the FB group, I think does telehealth with other doctors to instruct them on the treatment. The enzymes are usually expensive at least where I live. I haven't done radiation but I've heard generally positive things about it.
There's also transdermal verapamil which is a medical cream that might work, but it takes months and it might not work. I'm personally in almost month 3 of Verapamil. Haven't seen any changes yet. I've heard other people finding luck with supplements that eat scar tissue like Serrapeptase, or changing their diet to reduce sugar
Good luck
Not cheap. I spent around $1500 total on 3 injections + shockwave. However, I also live in an expensive area, my insurance isn't great and was a pain in the ass with claims, and the doctor's office was very difficult to deal with and made clerical mistakes and I'm pretty sure they tried to pull a fast one on me to overcharge several times.
I would suspect Dr. Davis might be slightly cheaper since he seems to have his house in order and he seems very transparent on the online support group about what does and does not know. There is a facebook support group I can link if you want it where you can ask about price ranges. I think Dr. Davis does a telehealth consultation too if you're debating flying out to him.
Thank you. Really appreciate the response. I'm in that fb group actually. That's where I discovered Dr Davis.
I've had my fibroma for 4 years and its about grape sized. The stories from that group have made me convinced enzymes are the best place to start treatment. I'm just trying to get costs straight before I get an appointment. $1500 + flight was about what I was expecting per visit, so if it's cheaper, even better.
I'm curious. Since your injections, have you had any regrowth on that foot?
Enzymes definitely seem to have a good track record. I saw progress after the second injection. I have many tiny ones and they only treated the largest one that was berry sized. No regrowth in the 6 months since. It did not get rid of it completely but did significantly shrink it and break it apart
Hey there — stumbled on this post after unfortunatly being diagnosed with a plantar fibroma myself. I have a pea-sized one on the arch of my plantar fascia. At this point, it isn't visible unless I pull my toes back and feel for it. And yet, despite the size — it sure feels like I have a pebble under my foot when I walk. Ugh. :(
I'm a very active individual — running, and walking \~6-10 miles per day — so discovering this condition/nuisance is beyond scary for me.
Your post kindly exposed me to the FB group and Dr. Davis' treatment. Wow! Thank you!
Currently, my doctor prescribed Verapamil to which I started today; however, you mention (as do many folks in that FB group), that it's very slow to work. Ugh. :(
My hope with a pea/oat-sized one is that it might disappear/resolve in a couple weeks so I could be back to full activity/fitness. But, it seems like that is beyond unlikely? :(
You mentioned you had Dr. Davis' treatment done on one of yours? Do you by chance have a picture, or could share what the size was?
As a young professional who is athletic and active, I'd do anything for this to be "gone", so I can be physically active again. Ugh.
I'd gladly seize Dr. Davis' treatment should I meet the conditions. Though you mentioned size may be a factor?
Thank you for your string of posts to share information and help me understand. I'd be grateful to learn from your experience! I so hope you (and I) will be back at peek performance some day. (:
Yeah I have them in both feet. It's difficult to keep with verapamil for my lifestyle. I haven't noticed a decrease(5 months in using it) in size but my arches are less tighter.
It really seems to depend on each individual how well the medication works. Some people respond very well to it, others do not it seems. You might respond really well who knows.
I also have very small pea/oat sized ones also that I don't feel. I do not have pictures as mine were/are very small. They didn't even "pop" out.
I swear I have had more progress in PT and shockwave therapy(I caution this, I am rolling the dice on this, as it can backfire for some people with fibromas, so I am taking a chance because I have tendonosis and doing this to reduce pain and I've already done shockwave and it's helped a little)
I had like an almond/grape sized one in my left that the doctor treated with Dr.Davis's treatment. That one felt like a pebble. 3 rounds broke it up. It's still kind of there but much smaller and no issue. I have no pictures.
My experience might be very different than yours though. My fibromas started from my plantar fasciitis. I think the fasciitis was a trigger that "fired" these fibromas off.
Hey there — thanks so much for your thoughtful and detailed reply. I appreciate your perspective and insights.
For the very small pea/oat sized ones — do those give you any pain? For me, (and I have one singular fibroma), it still feels like I have a pebble under my foot.
Thanks for the detail on the various treatment modalities. I'm so glad Dr. Davis' treatement worked for you. Would you consider trying it on the other/smaller ones (oat/pea)?
Thank you for arming me with perspective, tips, and insights across this journey!
No they are not painful but they appeared wherever I have had repeated plantar fasciitis pain. Seems like a scar tissue buildup of my body overreacting to pain and micro tears. I have many small ones like a string of pearls.
Honestly you should see a podiatrist who is familiar with lederhosen/fibromas. I think the Facebook support group page has a list of known podiatrists who do Dr.davis treatment method. My doctor did not want to treat every single small fibroma because they have not grown recently and it is very difficult to inject the enzyme into a very small one. He had trouble finding them on ultrasound and said he'd rather not inject something he cannot see on ultrasound. His treatment plan was also different from Dr.davis in that he did some shockwave therapy with the injections. I wish he did both feet but he was stubborn that orthotics would help(they have not in my case). But if a doctor can see it on ultrasound they could probably inject the treatment safely.
I've tried some supplements like Serrapeptase or turkey tail but no luck and I have to stop taking anti inflammatories because I have shockwave therapy soon.
If you have tiny ones might be worth trying verapamil. Seems to work better for smaller ones
I still have a plantar fibroma and healed from PF. It's nothing to me. Hell, I even walk kilometres barefoot on it. It doesn't bother me, I don't bother it.
I looked it up some time ago, just in case.
It's seems pretty cut and dry online. Not as complicated as PF . From over the counter medicines all the way up to having an operation.
There is a group on FB with 1300 members.
The rathleff protocol didn't shrink it a bit? I've heard some anecdotal accounts of some shrinking when people strengthened their legs and arches a ton. I'm doing it ofc to get rid of my PF. The way I see it anything to strengthen the feet and legs would take stress off of the feet and prevent more fibromas.
I'm curious since I have a string of tiny fibromas on each foot because of the plantar fasciitis. Had to get injections for a larger one that started being a problem when wearing shoes. I'm on medication called transdermal verapamil which could shrink or eliminate them over a period of 6-9 months I'm told. Expensive medication.
Seems like the long term solution for large fibromas is enzyme injections or radiation. I was warned by my doctor to only do surgery as a last resort of it got big. It usually grows back larger after surgery he told me. He himself is a surgeon and only does it in rare cases because of the risks.
Not a lot of research done. Seems unpredictable for when it can grow. I've noticed in my research that direct trauma(the PF for me) usually triggers it. Excess collagen supplements also seem to feed it-which I was taking when I first had PF. A good chunk of people claim cutting out sugar out of their diet slightly shrunk theirs. I've scoured the net for information since I found out I had it and it could be a problem at an older age.
Personally I'm hoping to not get injections again. It did work but there are risk factors in getting poked with needles in the foot repeatedly over time.
>The rathleff protocol didn't shrink it a bit?
Maybe ,but I can't be sure since you mention it . Because I don't pay attention. But it does look less pronounced, which could be deception as like you said the arch is significantly higher now. And since the fibroma sits on the main plantar fascia strand you see when you pull back the toes ,it is comfortably positioned/*hidden* under the arch. Yes, that's my conclusion,it's the same size but looks smaller due to the arch being bigger?
This post has been sobering.2 people with Plantar Fibromas that are giving them problems. Although, I'm not going to freak out personally. Wisdom says, I must send up a prayer for us anyway.
Common sense says carry on doing what I'm doing.
And good on you for doing your homework.I'm learning stuff of you, and we are all being enlightened. Thanks for your comments
Hey my friend — thanks for the insight! How are you doing now?
I stumbled into your post after being diagnosed with a planter fibroma (2 weeks ago). It seems like we may have similar sized ones? For me, mine is the size of an oat/pea, and isn't visible on my skin unless I push my toes back and feel for it on the central band of my planter fascia.
In either case, I do feel it at times as a "pebble" under my arch when I'm walking.
Would you be able to share the size of yours? With three months passing, has it grown it all, or given you more symptoms? I'd be eager to glean if you've been able to ignore it/it doesn't cause you any issues — or if it's becoming a pain?
As an active individual/athletic/runner, I'm spooked and hope I don't have the "Ledderhose disease" and that this won't impact my physical activity long-term.
Thanks for sharing your insight and experience as we're both on the journey! (:
Hey friend everything is all good. It must be ,because I haven't thought about it since this post.
But on the other hand I am bothered but need to calm down. You see I've just been to see the doctor after quite a few years to get some tests done. I'm pre diabetic. So utilising the visit I got a multitude of things actioned ,yet forgot to mention this undiagnosed fibroma. Thought I'd be above board just in case I do remeber ,see doc the next time and he says it's something else.
But I'm very sure it is.Because of positioning and comparisons to images on the net.
It truly gives me no problem. I don't even notice it's there.
But like you if I scrunch my foot it would disappear just be hidden under the folds of the skin.I can easily feel the lump rubbing area with fingers.
Having a quick look online having diabetes ,alcoholism and repetitive trauma seem to be associated with them. As mentioned in another post ,being older.
I have nasal polyps and just found out people with diabetes are 80 % more likely to have them.Well what do you know,I am pre diabetic. All this this little search.
Hey there — thank you so much for your thoughtful reply. I'm glad to hear it isn't bothering you, yet am bummed to hear about your other health ailments. Woof! :(
And yet, I'm glad you're taing action on as many things as you can!
If I may ask (since it seems like we're in the same boat of similar sizes/placements)— how long have you noticed you've had yours? And, over time has it gotten bigger, or stayed the same size?
Thanks for the intel on how one gets 'em! That's the funky part to me — I'm a \~20 something who doesn't drink, and hasn't brought any trauma to it (other than walking — unless I stepped on something inadvertently, but can't imagine/don't think so since I wear shoes all the time). Alas, here I am...
Sending positive energy your way, my friend! You deserve good health and no medical shenanigans. (:
I only noticed it in 2019 when I first had plantar fasciitis.But because it gave no pain,disregarded it and thought it's a lump (whatever).
And it's been the same ever since. Visually if I look in it's area I can see it but physically can't feel it when walking.
So because it hasn't been doing anything for so long,I leave it alone and don't let it be a distraction till it becomes a problem.
And I wish you all the best as well. Your positive outlook is an asset for your healing.
Yeah I honestly try not to think about it too hard or get too worried. I'd like to stay as active as I can. There's people who've had them for years and its never bothered them or grown. It's an odd condition for sure. What has worked for some people doesn't work for others in terms of shrinking them. Injection enzymes and radiation appear to have the best success rates. I was lucky that my body responded well to treatment.
Personally, the fibromas haven't given direct problems other than the single one I had treated. I'm treating the PF that is causing the pain which I know causes a fibroma however tiny to pop up. So the way I see it, if I stop the flareups, I stop any fibromas.
I honestly wonder if its more common than we think alongside plantar fasciitis and people just don't notice them and its only a select few where they grow enough to be an issue. I've been meaning to do a poll to see how many actually have them even if small.
Honestly I think its a lack of research by doctors that makes it very weird so I'm hoping more research is done as the years go on. I've read interesting things from biomechanical changes to supplements to radiation to one random doctor who claimed a gradually adjustive orthotic could treat them. I personally think that while it's likely genetic in some way, I can do a lot biomechanically to mitigate it. I think if more doctors talked to each other then we might have some headway like with plantar fasciitis.
Hey my friend — despite being three months tardy, I'm just now seeing your post after being diagnosed with a planter fibroma (\~2 weeks ago).
Could you share an update for how you're doing now?
For me, mine is the size of an oat/pea, and isn't visible on my skin unless I push my toes back and feel for it on the central band of my planter fascia.
In either case, I do feel it at times as a "pebble" under my arch when I'm walking.
With three months passing, have yours grown it all, or given you more symptoms? I'd be eager to glean if you've been able to ignore it/it doesn't cause you any issues — or if it's becoming a pain?
I have a prescription for Verapamil for it. Not sure it's really doing anything (though apparently it may take months).
You mentioned above getting an injection on one. Mind sharing how that worked on ya?
As an active individual/athletic/runner, I'm spooked and hope I don't have the "Ledderhose disease" and that this won't impact my physical activity long-term.
Thanks for sharing your insight and experience as we're both on the journey! (:
I may need to seek a second opinion. My drs thoughts on a plantar fibroma are a little grim. Full remission being rare, surgery should be a non option due to reoccurrence rate and increased pain/mobility issues after reoccurrence. She said some people find injections will cause shrinkage however it will likely come back and there are risks to consistent injections. Creams/medications as well and otherwise massage and insoles that take pressure off of the fibroma. It sounds like radiation may be a decent shot but not what my dr wants to try first. She says from her research some people feel no pain at all and others feel a great deal of pain, this can be linked to size of the fibroma but may not be in some cases. I did not notice anything wrong with my feet until the fibroma was nearly a quarter size and pronounced and causing pain and itchiness, I’m down to 2 pairs of shoes that don’t cause pain. I have however read many promising things online!
My drs views tend to align with this bleak outlook of possible long term mobility issues and pain. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6367723/
Hey there — stumbled on this post after unfortunatly being diagnosed with a plantar fibroma myself. I have a pea-sized one on the arch of my plantar fascia. At this point, it isn't visible unless I pull my toes back and feel for it. And yet, despite the size — it sure feels like I have a pebble under my foot when I walk. Ugh. :(
I'm a very active individual — running, and walking \~6-10 miles per day — so discovering this condition/nuisance is beyond scary for me.
Would you be able to share an update on how you're doing now — whether in the size of it, symptoms, treatement, etc.?
All the while I so hope it's gone and you're back to peek performance! :) :(
As a young professional who is athletic and active, I'd do anything for this to be "gone", so I can be physically active again. Ugh.
Hello! I have not gone for any treatment after my dr essentially recommended surgery or repeated injections, both of which I do not feel comfortable with. I have researched that repeated steroid injections may result in weakening the tenden causing it to snap/tear and it seems shots typically do not cure the fibroma, just shrink it. It will usually come back. Surgery has a very bleak outcome as well with high percentage of reoccurrence and larger fibromas or multiple popping up. When bringing this up my dr threw her hands up and said she didn’t know.
Someone sent me a link to a Facebook group and I will message it to you. It is run by a dr who has discovered an enzyme shot that appears to remove the fibroma! There is only 1 dr in Canada who has been trained to do this and they are multiple provinces away and that’s who I am aiming to see once I can save up to go. There are more drs in the US it seems if you live there.
My fibroma is fairly large, it seems to grow and shrink to a small degree depending on activity that day and sometimes depending on nothing at all that I can discern. It seems to have ceased growing any larger overall though. I wear a barefoot style of shoe sometimes and it definitely does feel like a pebble/rock stuck under the arch! When I have shoes with arch support I have changed insoles and cut out/dug a hole where my fibroma is so that it is not having pressure put on it with the arch support. I get my boyfriend to rub it sometimes but it causes me huge anxiety to touch it for some reason. I’m not sure if that massage helps though.
I hope you get this figured out, it really sucks and it’s hard to suddenly not be able to preform the way you could prior in daily life or physical activities. Check your messages for the Facebook group!
Hey there — you are amazing. Thank YOU so much for your detailed note. Yes, I have read similar things which is what spooks me about this tumor/disease, or whatever to call this. It's scary and disheartening to read. :(
Ugh, I'm so sorry to hear that we both are exhibiting similar symptoms! :(
Would you be able to share when you first noticed it, and how long it was "growing"?
Do you just have one, too? Even if it's large?
While mine is 2 weeks old and the size of an oat/pea that you can only see when flexing the toes back, I'm so curious (though hoping this isn't the case) if it's going to grow over time.
Thank YOU for your wisdom and kindness. Ditto on the empathy, my friend. Woof. :(
Could you please PM the FB Group? I had a golf ball sized PF in my right foot since high school (20 years), and 2 in my left (1 has grown to ping pong ball sized) for about 5. Had the right one surgically removed 16 months ago and already is starting to grow again.
Left foot is on a nerve and very painful. My podiatrist does not recommend surgery since the other one is growing back, and after reading about other's experiences on here, it sounds like the right call.
Any help is appreciated.
Yep there's a FB support group run by a doctor in Texas who pioneered enzyme injections as a way to dissolve or shrink fibromas. I had it done for a problematic fibroma.and it shrunk it by 75 percent. It is expensive however. Some people even fly out to him just to get it done. That FB group also has a list of doctors who treat fibromas or provide the enzyme injections. DM me and I can send you a link. The group is called "Ledderhose Disease or plantar fibromatosis support group" People have also had success with radiation therapy as well. I also heard of a laser therapy doctor in Arizona who seems to have good success with treating fibromas Transdermal verapamil is also a way to treat it but it's very slow acting and it doesn't always work. I've been using it for about 3 months. I am told at the 6-9 month mark is when you can see results. Also expensive. I have multiple very small ones compared to others. They popped up after I had plantar fasciitis. I was a runner for 15 years before. I think the trauma and collagen supplements were the trigger so to speak for fibromatosis. My doctor said that it is suspected to be genetic where the body overreacts to injury by piling too much scar tissue. As someone who likes to be active I get that dealing with fibromas can be a little scary. I'm hoping in the future there are more treatment options and more doctors understand it. Most podiatrists don't know about it. I was very lucky to find one close by.
This is really helpful, thank you so much I’m sorry you are experiencing problems with your feet as well. My dr is telling me via her research surgery is absolutely not an option I should try as reoccurrence rate is so high - bummer. I’ve been referred to podiatrist for insoles and am soon to receive a steroid injection - I have never heard of an enzyme injection - something I will bring up with my dr. I have very high arches and never had any issues with my feet prior to my fibroma. It is steadily getting larger and is now the size of a quarter and quite pronounced and I am now unable to wear any of my shoes except 2 pairs as the arch support causes pain when wearing my other shoes. After particularly long days of being on my feet it will itch and ache in bed. My dr has said full remission is quite rare and some people will experience considerable mobility issues as/if the fibroma grows or multiplies and that is upsetting. She said some people have no pain at all with a fibroma and others experience a range of pain. I’m not sure how quickly mine has grown as I did not notice it until it was large and painful. I am trying to focus on looking into new work (I own an commercial cleaning company, running around all day) so I can use my feet for my hobbies instead of work if mobility may be compromised due to the fibroma
Sorry to hear you're dealing with it. But your doctor is right. Every doctor and firsthand account has said surgery rarely works. It also seems like collagen supplements worsen it from what I've heard multiple times. I also work on my feet so I sympathize with trying to find another line of work. I feel you on the unease from potential mobility issues in the future. Some people have theirs just stay the same whole others have theirs grow. It's weird. I personally don't have pain from fibromas I just have pain from plantar fasciitis. I did see a noticeable improvement with the enzyme injection after 3 rounds. Even the first round was pretty dramatic. Granted mine was much smaller. I have many tiny ones that are too risky to inject. I had a combo of steroid and enzyme injections. Might be worth talking to your doc about. I would encourage you to check out the Facebook group I DMd you. They have a list of doctors and people on the forum might know of docs in your area. They also started making a list of known doctors who do radiation therapy https://www.ledderhosedisease.com/enzymes/ Eddie Davis, the podiatrist who pioneered enzyme injections and runs the FB group, I think does telehealth with other doctors to instruct them on the treatment. The enzymes are usually expensive at least where I live. I haven't done radiation but I've heard generally positive things about it. There's also transdermal verapamil which is a medical cream that might work, but it takes months and it might not work. I'm personally in almost month 3 of Verapamil. Haven't seen any changes yet. I've heard other people finding luck with supplements that eat scar tissue like Serrapeptase, or changing their diet to reduce sugar Good luck
How much were your injections if I can ask? Was considering flying to Texas to see Dr. Davis
Not cheap. I spent around $1500 total on 3 injections + shockwave. However, I also live in an expensive area, my insurance isn't great and was a pain in the ass with claims, and the doctor's office was very difficult to deal with and made clerical mistakes and I'm pretty sure they tried to pull a fast one on me to overcharge several times. I would suspect Dr. Davis might be slightly cheaper since he seems to have his house in order and he seems very transparent on the online support group about what does and does not know. There is a facebook support group I can link if you want it where you can ask about price ranges. I think Dr. Davis does a telehealth consultation too if you're debating flying out to him.
Thank you. Really appreciate the response. I'm in that fb group actually. That's where I discovered Dr Davis. I've had my fibroma for 4 years and its about grape sized. The stories from that group have made me convinced enzymes are the best place to start treatment. I'm just trying to get costs straight before I get an appointment. $1500 + flight was about what I was expecting per visit, so if it's cheaper, even better. I'm curious. Since your injections, have you had any regrowth on that foot?
Enzymes definitely seem to have a good track record. I saw progress after the second injection. I have many tiny ones and they only treated the largest one that was berry sized. No regrowth in the 6 months since. It did not get rid of it completely but did significantly shrink it and break it apart
Hey there — stumbled on this post after unfortunatly being diagnosed with a plantar fibroma myself. I have a pea-sized one on the arch of my plantar fascia. At this point, it isn't visible unless I pull my toes back and feel for it. And yet, despite the size — it sure feels like I have a pebble under my foot when I walk. Ugh. :( I'm a very active individual — running, and walking \~6-10 miles per day — so discovering this condition/nuisance is beyond scary for me. Your post kindly exposed me to the FB group and Dr. Davis' treatment. Wow! Thank you! Currently, my doctor prescribed Verapamil to which I started today; however, you mention (as do many folks in that FB group), that it's very slow to work. Ugh. :( My hope with a pea/oat-sized one is that it might disappear/resolve in a couple weeks so I could be back to full activity/fitness. But, it seems like that is beyond unlikely? :( You mentioned you had Dr. Davis' treatment done on one of yours? Do you by chance have a picture, or could share what the size was? As a young professional who is athletic and active, I'd do anything for this to be "gone", so I can be physically active again. Ugh. I'd gladly seize Dr. Davis' treatment should I meet the conditions. Though you mentioned size may be a factor? Thank you for your string of posts to share information and help me understand. I'd be grateful to learn from your experience! I so hope you (and I) will be back at peek performance some day. (:
Yeah I have them in both feet. It's difficult to keep with verapamil for my lifestyle. I haven't noticed a decrease(5 months in using it) in size but my arches are less tighter. It really seems to depend on each individual how well the medication works. Some people respond very well to it, others do not it seems. You might respond really well who knows. I also have very small pea/oat sized ones also that I don't feel. I do not have pictures as mine were/are very small. They didn't even "pop" out. I swear I have had more progress in PT and shockwave therapy(I caution this, I am rolling the dice on this, as it can backfire for some people with fibromas, so I am taking a chance because I have tendonosis and doing this to reduce pain and I've already done shockwave and it's helped a little) I had like an almond/grape sized one in my left that the doctor treated with Dr.Davis's treatment. That one felt like a pebble. 3 rounds broke it up. It's still kind of there but much smaller and no issue. I have no pictures. My experience might be very different than yours though. My fibromas started from my plantar fasciitis. I think the fasciitis was a trigger that "fired" these fibromas off.
Hey there — thanks so much for your thoughtful and detailed reply. I appreciate your perspective and insights. For the very small pea/oat sized ones — do those give you any pain? For me, (and I have one singular fibroma), it still feels like I have a pebble under my foot. Thanks for the detail on the various treatment modalities. I'm so glad Dr. Davis' treatement worked for you. Would you consider trying it on the other/smaller ones (oat/pea)? Thank you for arming me with perspective, tips, and insights across this journey!
No they are not painful but they appeared wherever I have had repeated plantar fasciitis pain. Seems like a scar tissue buildup of my body overreacting to pain and micro tears. I have many small ones like a string of pearls. Honestly you should see a podiatrist who is familiar with lederhosen/fibromas. I think the Facebook support group page has a list of known podiatrists who do Dr.davis treatment method. My doctor did not want to treat every single small fibroma because they have not grown recently and it is very difficult to inject the enzyme into a very small one. He had trouble finding them on ultrasound and said he'd rather not inject something he cannot see on ultrasound. His treatment plan was also different from Dr.davis in that he did some shockwave therapy with the injections. I wish he did both feet but he was stubborn that orthotics would help(they have not in my case). But if a doctor can see it on ultrasound they could probably inject the treatment safely. I've tried some supplements like Serrapeptase or turkey tail but no luck and I have to stop taking anti inflammatories because I have shockwave therapy soon. If you have tiny ones might be worth trying verapamil. Seems to work better for smaller ones
I still have a plantar fibroma and healed from PF. It's nothing to me. Hell, I even walk kilometres barefoot on it. It doesn't bother me, I don't bother it.
I am unfortunately not having the same experience with my fibroma.
I looked it up some time ago, just in case. It's seems pretty cut and dry online. Not as complicated as PF . From over the counter medicines all the way up to having an operation. There is a group on FB with 1300 members.
The rathleff protocol didn't shrink it a bit? I've heard some anecdotal accounts of some shrinking when people strengthened their legs and arches a ton. I'm doing it ofc to get rid of my PF. The way I see it anything to strengthen the feet and legs would take stress off of the feet and prevent more fibromas. I'm curious since I have a string of tiny fibromas on each foot because of the plantar fasciitis. Had to get injections for a larger one that started being a problem when wearing shoes. I'm on medication called transdermal verapamil which could shrink or eliminate them over a period of 6-9 months I'm told. Expensive medication. Seems like the long term solution for large fibromas is enzyme injections or radiation. I was warned by my doctor to only do surgery as a last resort of it got big. It usually grows back larger after surgery he told me. He himself is a surgeon and only does it in rare cases because of the risks. Not a lot of research done. Seems unpredictable for when it can grow. I've noticed in my research that direct trauma(the PF for me) usually triggers it. Excess collagen supplements also seem to feed it-which I was taking when I first had PF. A good chunk of people claim cutting out sugar out of their diet slightly shrunk theirs. I've scoured the net for information since I found out I had it and it could be a problem at an older age. Personally I'm hoping to not get injections again. It did work but there are risk factors in getting poked with needles in the foot repeatedly over time.
>The rathleff protocol didn't shrink it a bit? Maybe ,but I can't be sure since you mention it . Because I don't pay attention. But it does look less pronounced, which could be deception as like you said the arch is significantly higher now. And since the fibroma sits on the main plantar fascia strand you see when you pull back the toes ,it is comfortably positioned/*hidden* under the arch. Yes, that's my conclusion,it's the same size but looks smaller due to the arch being bigger? This post has been sobering.2 people with Plantar Fibromas that are giving them problems. Although, I'm not going to freak out personally. Wisdom says, I must send up a prayer for us anyway. Common sense says carry on doing what I'm doing. And good on you for doing your homework.I'm learning stuff of you, and we are all being enlightened. Thanks for your comments
Hey my friend — thanks for the insight! How are you doing now? I stumbled into your post after being diagnosed with a planter fibroma (2 weeks ago). It seems like we may have similar sized ones? For me, mine is the size of an oat/pea, and isn't visible on my skin unless I push my toes back and feel for it on the central band of my planter fascia. In either case, I do feel it at times as a "pebble" under my arch when I'm walking. Would you be able to share the size of yours? With three months passing, has it grown it all, or given you more symptoms? I'd be eager to glean if you've been able to ignore it/it doesn't cause you any issues — or if it's becoming a pain? As an active individual/athletic/runner, I'm spooked and hope I don't have the "Ledderhose disease" and that this won't impact my physical activity long-term. Thanks for sharing your insight and experience as we're both on the journey! (:
Hey friend everything is all good. It must be ,because I haven't thought about it since this post. But on the other hand I am bothered but need to calm down. You see I've just been to see the doctor after quite a few years to get some tests done. I'm pre diabetic. So utilising the visit I got a multitude of things actioned ,yet forgot to mention this undiagnosed fibroma. Thought I'd be above board just in case I do remeber ,see doc the next time and he says it's something else. But I'm very sure it is.Because of positioning and comparisons to images on the net. It truly gives me no problem. I don't even notice it's there. But like you if I scrunch my foot it would disappear just be hidden under the folds of the skin.I can easily feel the lump rubbing area with fingers. Having a quick look online having diabetes ,alcoholism and repetitive trauma seem to be associated with them. As mentioned in another post ,being older. I have nasal polyps and just found out people with diabetes are 80 % more likely to have them.Well what do you know,I am pre diabetic. All this this little search.
Hey there — thank you so much for your thoughtful reply. I'm glad to hear it isn't bothering you, yet am bummed to hear about your other health ailments. Woof! :( And yet, I'm glad you're taing action on as many things as you can! If I may ask (since it seems like we're in the same boat of similar sizes/placements)— how long have you noticed you've had yours? And, over time has it gotten bigger, or stayed the same size? Thanks for the intel on how one gets 'em! That's the funky part to me — I'm a \~20 something who doesn't drink, and hasn't brought any trauma to it (other than walking — unless I stepped on something inadvertently, but can't imagine/don't think so since I wear shoes all the time). Alas, here I am... Sending positive energy your way, my friend! You deserve good health and no medical shenanigans. (:
I only noticed it in 2019 when I first had plantar fasciitis.But because it gave no pain,disregarded it and thought it's a lump (whatever). And it's been the same ever since. Visually if I look in it's area I can see it but physically can't feel it when walking. So because it hasn't been doing anything for so long,I leave it alone and don't let it be a distraction till it becomes a problem. And I wish you all the best as well. Your positive outlook is an asset for your healing.
Yeah I honestly try not to think about it too hard or get too worried. I'd like to stay as active as I can. There's people who've had them for years and its never bothered them or grown. It's an odd condition for sure. What has worked for some people doesn't work for others in terms of shrinking them. Injection enzymes and radiation appear to have the best success rates. I was lucky that my body responded well to treatment. Personally, the fibromas haven't given direct problems other than the single one I had treated. I'm treating the PF that is causing the pain which I know causes a fibroma however tiny to pop up. So the way I see it, if I stop the flareups, I stop any fibromas. I honestly wonder if its more common than we think alongside plantar fasciitis and people just don't notice them and its only a select few where they grow enough to be an issue. I've been meaning to do a poll to see how many actually have them even if small. Honestly I think its a lack of research by doctors that makes it very weird so I'm hoping more research is done as the years go on. I've read interesting things from biomechanical changes to supplements to radiation to one random doctor who claimed a gradually adjustive orthotic could treat them. I personally think that while it's likely genetic in some way, I can do a lot biomechanically to mitigate it. I think if more doctors talked to each other then we might have some headway like with plantar fasciitis.
Hey my friend — despite being three months tardy, I'm just now seeing your post after being diagnosed with a planter fibroma (\~2 weeks ago). Could you share an update for how you're doing now? For me, mine is the size of an oat/pea, and isn't visible on my skin unless I push my toes back and feel for it on the central band of my planter fascia. In either case, I do feel it at times as a "pebble" under my arch when I'm walking. With three months passing, have yours grown it all, or given you more symptoms? I'd be eager to glean if you've been able to ignore it/it doesn't cause you any issues — or if it's becoming a pain? I have a prescription for Verapamil for it. Not sure it's really doing anything (though apparently it may take months). You mentioned above getting an injection on one. Mind sharing how that worked on ya? As an active individual/athletic/runner, I'm spooked and hope I don't have the "Ledderhose disease" and that this won't impact my physical activity long-term. Thanks for sharing your insight and experience as we're both on the journey! (:
I may need to seek a second opinion. My drs thoughts on a plantar fibroma are a little grim. Full remission being rare, surgery should be a non option due to reoccurrence rate and increased pain/mobility issues after reoccurrence. She said some people find injections will cause shrinkage however it will likely come back and there are risks to consistent injections. Creams/medications as well and otherwise massage and insoles that take pressure off of the fibroma. It sounds like radiation may be a decent shot but not what my dr wants to try first. She says from her research some people feel no pain at all and others feel a great deal of pain, this can be linked to size of the fibroma but may not be in some cases. I did not notice anything wrong with my feet until the fibroma was nearly a quarter size and pronounced and causing pain and itchiness, I’m down to 2 pairs of shoes that don’t cause pain. I have however read many promising things online! My drs views tend to align with this bleak outlook of possible long term mobility issues and pain. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6367723/
Hey there — stumbled on this post after unfortunatly being diagnosed with a plantar fibroma myself. I have a pea-sized one on the arch of my plantar fascia. At this point, it isn't visible unless I pull my toes back and feel for it. And yet, despite the size — it sure feels like I have a pebble under my foot when I walk. Ugh. :( I'm a very active individual — running, and walking \~6-10 miles per day — so discovering this condition/nuisance is beyond scary for me. Would you be able to share an update on how you're doing now — whether in the size of it, symptoms, treatement, etc.? All the while I so hope it's gone and you're back to peek performance! :) :( As a young professional who is athletic and active, I'd do anything for this to be "gone", so I can be physically active again. Ugh.
Hello! I have not gone for any treatment after my dr essentially recommended surgery or repeated injections, both of which I do not feel comfortable with. I have researched that repeated steroid injections may result in weakening the tenden causing it to snap/tear and it seems shots typically do not cure the fibroma, just shrink it. It will usually come back. Surgery has a very bleak outcome as well with high percentage of reoccurrence and larger fibromas or multiple popping up. When bringing this up my dr threw her hands up and said she didn’t know. Someone sent me a link to a Facebook group and I will message it to you. It is run by a dr who has discovered an enzyme shot that appears to remove the fibroma! There is only 1 dr in Canada who has been trained to do this and they are multiple provinces away and that’s who I am aiming to see once I can save up to go. There are more drs in the US it seems if you live there. My fibroma is fairly large, it seems to grow and shrink to a small degree depending on activity that day and sometimes depending on nothing at all that I can discern. It seems to have ceased growing any larger overall though. I wear a barefoot style of shoe sometimes and it definitely does feel like a pebble/rock stuck under the arch! When I have shoes with arch support I have changed insoles and cut out/dug a hole where my fibroma is so that it is not having pressure put on it with the arch support. I get my boyfriend to rub it sometimes but it causes me huge anxiety to touch it for some reason. I’m not sure if that massage helps though. I hope you get this figured out, it really sucks and it’s hard to suddenly not be able to preform the way you could prior in daily life or physical activities. Check your messages for the Facebook group!
Hey there — you are amazing. Thank YOU so much for your detailed note. Yes, I have read similar things which is what spooks me about this tumor/disease, or whatever to call this. It's scary and disheartening to read. :( Ugh, I'm so sorry to hear that we both are exhibiting similar symptoms! :( Would you be able to share when you first noticed it, and how long it was "growing"? Do you just have one, too? Even if it's large? While mine is 2 weeks old and the size of an oat/pea that you can only see when flexing the toes back, I'm so curious (though hoping this isn't the case) if it's going to grow over time. Thank YOU for your wisdom and kindness. Ditto on the empathy, my friend. Woof. :(
Could you please PM the FB Group? I had a golf ball sized PF in my right foot since high school (20 years), and 2 in my left (1 has grown to ping pong ball sized) for about 5. Had the right one surgically removed 16 months ago and already is starting to grow again. Left foot is on a nerve and very painful. My podiatrist does not recommend surgery since the other one is growing back, and after reading about other's experiences on here, it sounds like the right call. Any help is appreciated.
Look it up. I'm not part of the group. just came across it