Subchondral insufficiency fracture of the second metatatarsal head in an eldery woman treated with autologous osteochondral transplantation

Freiberg's infraction is a rare disorder that arises mostly in adolescent athletes. We describe a 77-year-old woman with the collapse of second metatarsal head with similar clinical appearance to Freiberg's infraction. Radiological findings at initial visit of our hospital were normal. Her condition was obscure and magnetic resonance imaging showed the subchondral insufficiency fracture with bone marrow edema to the second metatarsal head. Despite the conservative treatment, the second metatarsal head collapsed. She was surgically treated with an osteochondral autograft without complications relating surgery. Furthermore, the histological findings showed that the site of collapse was considered to be secondary lesions resulting from the subchondral insufficiency fracture.     

Treatment of Freiberg's disease. A new operative technique

A method of treating Freiberg's disease of the metatarsal head by shortening the metatarsal bone is described. This operation has been performed in 15 patients (16 feet). Excellent relief of pain was obtained, although most patients had persistent stiffness of the metatarsophalangeal joint.     

Etiology of Freiberg's disease: ? trauma

Freiberg's disease is osteochondritis of the metatarsal head(s) commonly occurring in adolescent girls. The true etiology is unknown. The authors present a case precipitated by a form of folk dancing popular among British schoolgirls.     

Freiberg's infraction: a subchondral bone fatigue fracture. A new surgical treatment.

Observations on plantar pressure points suggest that Freiberg's infraction is osteonecrosis of the second or third metatarsal head resulting from a subchrondral bone fatique fracture. A series of 53 cases were successfully treated by deflexion osteotomy of the involved metatarsal head.     

Surgery for symptomatic Freiberg's disease: Extraarticular dorsal closing-wedge osteotomy in 13 patients followed for 2-4 years

From 1992 through 1995, we have treated 13 patients (10 men) with Freiberg's disease by debridement and dorsal closing-wedge osteotomy of the metatarsal neck. The lesion was located in the second metatarsal head in 10 patients and in the third metatarsal head in 3. After osteotomy, the lesion was away from the joint, so that the smooth and healthy articular cartilage of the metatarsal head faced the phalangeal cartilage.

The average follow-up period was 40 (28-54) months. The subjective outcome was good or excellent in 11 patients, fair in 1, and poor in 1. We found MRI useful in determining the extent of the lesion when planning correction.     

Interpositional arthroplasty with extensor digitorum brevis tendon in Freiberg's disease: a new surgical technique

BACKGROUND: Freiberg's infraction is an osteochondrosis of a lesser metatarsal head resulting in joint degeneration. There is no consensus regarding the management of these lesions. Here, we describe an interpositional arthroplasty using extensor digitorum brevis tendon as a solution for Freiberg's disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 2003 and 2006, 6 women and 4 men with Freiberg's disease unresponsive to conservative treatment were operated with interpositional arthroplasty with extensor digitorum brevis tendon. Mean age was 34 (range, 20 to 48) years and followup time 24.6 (range, 12 to 36) months. The transferred tendon was passed through a tunnel, centered, stabilized and rolled into a ball following the debridement of joint. According to the Smillie classification, there were 3 grade II, 5 grade III, and 2 grade IV. The AOFAS scoring system was used for clinical assesment. RESULTS: The mean preoperative and postoperative AOFAS scores were 58.3 (range, 44 to 77) and 80.4 (range, 67 to 100), respectively. The complaint of pain with joint motion was decreased in all patients except one. The postoperative passive range of motion of joints did not differ significantly. We found 4 excellent (40%), 5 good (50%) and 1 poor (10%) result. CONCLUSION: We recommend our technique of interpositional arthroplasty with the extensor digitorum brevis tendon because it is free of additional donor site morbidity. It can be performed easily without specialized instruments. Also, the use of natural tissue eliminates potential foreign body reactions and risk of infection.     

Freiberg's infraction of the second metatarsal head with formation of multiple loose bodies

Freiberg's infraction is an osteonecrotic disease process that most often involves the head of the second metatarsal. Establishing a diagnosis can be difficult early in the disease course, mimicking such pathologic processes as stress fracture, septic joint infection, tumors, metatarsalgia, various arthritic diseases, etc. A review of the literature reveals many treatment options and many theories of its etiology. The clinical signs and symptoms, review of the etiologies, radiographic presentation, and conservative and surgical treatments of this disease are presented. A case history and treatment summary of a patient afflicted with Freiberg's infarction involving the second metatarsophalangeal joint of the right foot is presented. Treatment consisted of evacuation of multiple loose bodies from the joint, resection arthroplasty of the diseased joint, and insertion of a total joint prosthesis.     

Surgery for symptomatic Freiberg's disease: extraarticular dorsal closing-wedge osteotomy in 13 patients followed for 2-4 years

From 1992 through 1995, we have treated 13 patients (10 men) with Freiberg's disease by debridement and dorsal closing-wedge osteotomy of the metatarsal neck. The lesion was located in the second metatarsal head in 10 patients and in the third metatarsal head in 3. After osteotomy, the lesion was away from the joint, so that the smooth and healthy articular cartilage of the metatarsal head faced the phalangeal cartilage. The average follow-up period was 40 (28-54) months. The subjective outcome was good or excellent in 11 patients, fair in 1, and poor in 1. We found MRI useful in determining the extent of the lesion when planning correction.     

Freiberg disease complicating unrelated trauma

Freiberg's infraction is an avascular necrosis of the metatarsal head characterized by the development of disorderliness of chondrogenesis and osteogenesis in previously normal bone. Radiographic findings follow the pathological progression of bony changes. The presented cases document the development of avascular necrosis in a previously normal metatarsal that occurred after trauma or surgery elsewhere in the foot. It is suggested that infraction of the metatarsal head resulted from microfracture caused by abnormal stress.     

Foot-pain

Foot pain is a relatively common problem in children and adolescents. Most frequently the pain is localized at the heel, the mid- and forefoot are less common sites of discomfort. In this article we discuss the etiology of pain in those cases, where the foot has a normal clinical aspect. Sever's disease is most common in adolescents with strenuous athletic activity or with obesity. The calcaneal apophysis is overloaded. Usually the radiologic aspect of the calcis is normal. Treatment consists in reduction of the athletic activity, soft bedding of the heel in the shoes and reduction of weight. Avascular necrosis of the metatarsal head II or III (Freiberg's disease) is also relatively common, while necrosis of the navicular bone (K?hler's disease) is very rare. Treatment in these cases is always conservative. Pain can also originate from tarsal coalition. While in the beginning the foot has a normal aspect, lateron a rigid flatfoot can develop. In unclear cases stress fractures of the metatarsal bones, infections and tumors also have to be considered.     

Freiberg’s Infraction in Identical Twins: A Case Report

Freiberg's infraction is an ostechondrosis of a lesser metatarsal head resulting in degeneration of the metatarsophalangeal joint. Several mechanisms have been suggested in its pathenogenesis. Freiberg first described the entity and believed single impact trauma was the underlying cause. Repetitive biomechanical microtrauma is the most widely accepted etiologic theory. Other factors contributing to its development include aseptic necrosis, ischemia, and a congenital predisposition. We present a case report of Freiberg's infraction occurring in identical twins involving multiple metatarsals in various stages of degeneration. One of the twins was affected unilaterally whereas the other twin was affected bilaterally. Both twins had involvement of the second metatarsal on the same side extremity. The occurrence of Freiberg's infraction in identical twins suggests that an underlying congenital predisposition to the condition may play more of a role than previously considered.     

Freiberg's infraction: a case from medieval Kent

A. M. Freiberg described a condition in which a collapse of the juvenile second metatarsal head gave rise to localized pain and swelling.¹ This eponymous disease is traditionally classed as one of the osteochondroses: a group of disparate lesions which typically manifest as destruction of an immature epiphysis. A medieval second metatarsal is presented, which by osteological and radiological examination is diagnostic of Freiberg's infraction. Apparently, this is the first evidence that the condition is not confined to modern day populations.²     

Assessment of etiologic factors in the development of Freiberg's disease

The etiologic factors in the development of Freiberg's disease are assessed in a consecutive series of 31 patients (33 feet). No evidence was found for the commonly held view that the condition is precipitated by trauma (in only 5 feet (15%), was there a history of injury to the foot). Similarly, pedobarographic studies failed to show high pressure at the affected metatarsal head. However, in 28 feet (85%), the affected metatarsal was the longest in the foot. The importance of this and other possible etiologic factors is discussed.     

Joint occurrence of aseptic necrosis of the head of the third metacarpal and Freiberg's disease

Freiberg's disease of the second metatarsal was found together with the aseptic necrosis of the head of the third metacarpal in a 54-year-old female patient. No similar case was found in the available literature. The deformity of the second metatarsophalangeal joint was corrected with an operation, the alteration of the third metacarpal did not need operative correction.     

The use of surgical core decompression as treatment for avascular necrosis of the second and third metatarsal heads

Freiberg's disease, a type of avascular necrosis, is an idiopathic osteochondrosis disorder affecting epiphyses of developing bones in children, particularly the second metatarsal with respect to the foot. This disorder can be caused by acute trauma and has been documented that exacerbation of it is present in patients with an elongated second metatarsal, thus, making it more vulnerable to repetitive trauma. Here we present a patient with a chief complaint of a painful mass. Radiographic and repetitive MRI findings were used to diagnose the patient with Freiberg's disease. Following the benefit time of conservative care, surgical core decompression was the surgical course of treatment. Core decompression has been routinely used to prevent structural changes in the metatarsal head and to relieve pain by decreasing the increased intraosseous pressure associated with avascular necrosis and allowing for revascularization of the necrotic area. The use of surgical core decompression with respect to the metatarsal head is relatively new; but has been routinely used for the hip and knee. Whether or not this form of surgical treatment will prevent recurrence is uncertain; further long-term studies are needed.     

Weil截骨术与Jacopy截骨术治疗应力性跖痛症的临床疗效对比观察

背景：跖痛症是指发生于跖骨头下方的前足疼痛,可由解剖结构异常、病理性或医源性因素诱发。其病变主要是因为前足集中的局部应力负荷反复作用造成。治疗可分为保守治疗与手术治疗,对大部分跖痛症而言,采用保守治疗即可取得较好的疗效,若保守治疗无效,则可采取手术治疗,其目的是恢复前足正常的应力分布。目的：探讨跖骨远端weil截骨术与Jacoby截骨术治疗应力性跖痛症的临床疗效,从而为临床上更加合理有效的治疗跖痛症提供方法和依据。方法：2010年5月至2012年9月,我院收治应力性跖痛症患者65例,其中42例（63足）患者资料完整,得到随访,男8例（13足）,女34例（50足）;年龄39～78岁,平均56-3岁。单侧11例,双侧31例;病变于第2跖骨头下24例,第3跖骨头下ll例,第2、3跖骨头下同时累及7例。合并跖趾关节脱位12例,跽外翻畸形16例,跖间神经瘤5例。所有病例随机分为A、B两组,A组19例（32足）,B组23例（31足）。A组采用跖骨远端Weil截骨术、B组采用Jacoby截骨术治疗,经过平均18个月的随访,对手术前后局部疼痛症状、患者足底应力变化、足部功能改善情况进行比较分析。结果：两种手术前后疼痛缓解均有显著性差异,以Weil截骨组疼痛缓解更明显,但两组间疼痛缓解无明显统计学差异。两组患者手术前后患趾跖骨头下应力峰值明显下降。Weil截骨组,手术前后立位时和足跟抬高时的病变跖骨头下应力分别下降35％和51％;Jacoby截骨组分别下降25％,n45％。根据美国足踝外科协会Maryland跖趾关节百分评分法对两组患者进行评定：优,A组24足（占75％）,B组22足（占71％）;良,A组6足（占18．8％）,B组5足（占16．1％）;可,A组2足（占6．2％）,B组4足（占12．9％）。A组优良率为93．8％,B组为87．1％。结论：对于应力性跖痛症患者,跖骨远端Weil截骨术与Jacoby截骨术治疗均可取得满意确切的效果。但weil截骨术手术操作技巧要求更高,Jacoby截骨术对初学者更易掌握。临床需要根据患者的实际情况及个体需求灵活选择。     

Comparison of Metatarsal Head Resection Versus Conservative Care in Treatment of Neuropathic Diabetic Foot Ulcers

Complications from diabetic foot ulcers often lead to increased patient morbidity. Much debate still ensues concerning surgical versus conservative management of neuropathic diabetic foot ulcerations. The present study assessed and compared the efficacy of metatarsal head resection and medical approach in the treatment of neuropathic diabetic foot ulcers located at the plantar surface of metatarsal heads. In a retrospective cohort study, 24 consecutive neuropathic diabetic foot ulcers in the lower area of the metatarsal heads that had undergone metatarsal head resection were included as the operative group. For the control group, we included 25 similar ulcers that were scheduled for medical therapy. With respect to postoperative complications, wound healing occurred earlier in the operative group, and the recurrence rate was inversely greater in the medical treatment group. Also, the hospitalization rate was significantly greater in the medical treatment group. Overall, the long-term complication rate was lower in the operative than in the medical treatment group. Also, the infection rate was greater in the medical treatment group than in the operative group. Comparing early and late clinical outcomes of metatarsal head resection surgery and medical treatment showed complete superiority for the surgical approach, and metatarsal head resection is more completely cost beneficial than the medical approach.     

Metatarsal bars more effective than metatarsal pads in reducing impulse on the second metatarsal head

Background

The second metatarsal head is commonly involved in cases of metatarsalgia. As part of the conservative treatment, metatarsal bars and metatarsal pads are often prescribed.

Objective

To compare the effectiveness of metatarsal bars and metatarsal pads in reducing impulse on the second metatarsal head.

Method

Thirty-five healthy subjects were monitored with an insole scanning system during walking in four different conditions: (a) wearing shoes only, (b) shoes plus metatarsal pads and shoes plus metatarsal bars, placed either (c) perpendicular to the foot axis or (d) oblique to the foot axis. The impulse under the second metatarsal head was measured using the first condition as a control. Both feet were examined in each subject resulting in a total of 840 measurements.

Results

Both metatarsal bars and metatarsal pads were effective in reducing impulse when compared with the control (P < 0.01). Metatarsal bars were found to be more effective in reducing impulse as compared to the metatarsal pads (P < 0.01), and the oblique position of the bars was more effective than the perpendicular one (P < 0.01).

Conclusions

The greatest reduction of impulse on the second metatarsal head in healthy subjects is achieved with the use of metatarsal bars in an oblique position.     

Metatarsalgia: distal metatarsal osteotomies

Metatarsalgia is a common pathologic entity. It refers to pain at the MTP joints. Pain in the foot unrelated to the MTP joints (such as Morton’s neuroma) must be distinguished from those disorders, which lead to abnormal pressure distribution, reactive calluses, and pain. Initial treatment options for metatarsalgia include modifications of shoe wear, metatarsal pads, and custom-made orthoses. If conservative treatment fails, operative reconstructive procedures in terms of metatarsal osteotomies should be considered. Lesser metatarsal osteotomy is an effective and well-accepted method for the management of metatarsalgia. The main purpose of these osteotomies is to decrease prominence of the symptomatic metatarsal head. The distal metatarsal oblique osteotomy (Weil osteotomy) with its modification represents the best evaluated distal metatarsal osteotomy in terms of outcome studies and biomechanical analysis. The role of the Weil osteotomy in metatarsalgia owing to a subluxed or dislocated MTP joint is to bring the metatarsal head proximal to the callus and to provide axial decompression of the toe to correct the deformity contributing to metatarsalgia.     

Freiberg's disease and dislocation of the second metatarsophalangeal joint: etiology and treatment

Surgical and conservative treatments, based on historic and current concepts, are presented for management of Freiberg's disease and dislocation of the second metatarsophalangeal joint. A preliminary review of the interpositional arthroplasty used at the University of Texas Health Science Center is presented.