At US Foot & Ankle Specialists, our physicians are committed not only to delivering excellent patient care, but also to advancing the field of podiatric medicine through research, innovation, and clinical advocacy. We are proud to highlight the recent work of Dr. Eddie Davis of South Texas Podiatry, whose efforts are helping improve both the understanding and treatment of Ledderhose disease.
Improving Diagnostic Clarity with Updated ICD-10 Codes
Accurate diagnosis and documentation are essential to ensuring patients receive appropriate care. Historically, conditions affecting the plantar fascia—such as plantar fasciitis, plantar fibromatosis, and Ledderhose disease—have sometimes been grouped together in ways that made clinical differentiation difficult.
Dr. Davis, alongside collaborators in the podiatric community, worked diligently to advocate for updates to the ICD-10 diagnostic code system. These efforts focused on creating clearer distinctions between plantar fibromatosis, plantar fasciitis, and Ledderhose disease, which are separate conditions with different causes and treatment approaches.
These proposed updates have now been formally accepted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and are currently scheduled for implementation on October 1, 2026, pending any unforeseen delays. This change will help improve diagnostic precision, research tracking, and treatment planning for patients affected by these conditions.
New Research on a Minimally Invasive Treatment Approach
In addition to his work on diagnostic coding improvements, Dr. Davis and his research team recently published a case series exploring a novel injection-based treatment for Ledderhose disease (also known as plantar fibromatosis).
Ledderhose disease is a relatively rare condition characterized by the development of firm nodules within the plantar fascia, the thick band of tissue on the bottom of the foot. These nodules can cause significant discomfort, especially with standing or walking, and treatment options have historically been limited.
The published study evaluated a treatment approach using a combination of hyaluronidase, triamcinolone acetonide, and lidocaine injections delivered directly into the fibroma under ultrasound guidance.
- Hyaluronidase helps break down components of dense fibrotic tissue.
- Triamcinolone acetonide, a corticosteroid, reduces inflammation and slows the growth of fibrous tissue.
- Lidocaine provides local anesthesia during the procedure.
Patients in the case series received a series of injections spaced several weeks apart. The results demonstrated significant reductions in pain and fibroma size, with patients reporting complete pain relief following treatment. Follow-up evaluations at one and two years showed patients remained symptom-free with stable results.
While larger clinical studies are needed to further validate these findings, the study highlights the potential of minimally invasive enzymatic injections as an alternative to more aggressive treatments, such as surgical excision, which can carry higher recurrence rates and longer recovery times.
Recognizing Leadership in Podiatric Medicine
Dr. Davis’s work reflects the broader mission of USFAS physicians—to continuously advance podiatric care through research, innovation, and advocacy. By contributing to both clinical research and national diagnostic coding improvements, Dr. Davis and his team are helping improve care standards for patients affected by complex foot and ankle conditions.
We congratulate Dr. Davis and his collaborators on these important accomplishments and look forward to seeing how their work continues to shape the future of podiatric medicine.
Read the published case series on this clinical treatment here: Combination Hyaluronidase and Triamcinolone Acetonide Enzymatic Injections for Treatment of Ledderhose Disease: A Novel Technique and Case Series | MDPI
If you are experiencing foot pain, plantar fibromas, or other foot and ankle concerns, the specialists at US Foot & Ankle Specialists are here to help. Visit your local USFAS provider to learn more about available treatment options.
