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.     

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 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.     

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     

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.     

Subchondral fatigue fracture of the femoral head in military recruits

BACKGROUND: Subchondral stress fracture of the femoral head is a rare condition that usually occurs as an insufficiency fracture in people with poor bone quality. We evaluated the clinical characteristics of subchondral fatigue fractures of the femoral head that occurred in young, healthy military recruits. METHODS: Between January 1998 and November 2001, seven subchondral fatigue fractures of the femoral head were treated in five patients. The characteristics of this condition were ascertained by assessing the clinical course as well as radiographs, bone scintigrams, and magnetic resonance images. RESULTS: All patients were male military recruits in their early twenties in whom pain had developed within five months after recruitment. Definite abnormal findings were observed on the initial radiographs of four hips in three patients, and the femoral head was markedly collapsed in two of these four hips. Bone scintigrams were made of five hips in four patients, and all of them showed increased radionuclide uptake in the femoral head. In all affected hips, magnetic resonance images demonstrated a localized or diffuse bone-marrow-edema pattern in the femoral head and/or neck. A subchondral fracture line (a magnetic resonance crescent sign) was identified in all hips. In the patients who did not have collapse of the femoral head, the pain decreased gradually and disappeared completely within six months, with correspondingly improved findings on sequential magnetic resonance images. The patients with femoral head collapse were treated with total hip arthroplasty or an iliac bone strut graft. CONCLUSIONS: When a military recruit or an athlete reports hip pain, a diagnosis of subchondral fatigue fracture of the femoral head should be considered.     

A case of Freiberg's disease in an adult patient

Freiberg's disease is an osteochondrosis of the IInd metatarsal head that prevalently develops during the second decade of life and that is the cause of important painful symptoms that resist conservative treatment. The disease is quite rare and must be treated surgically during its early phase in order to prevent progression that may result in permanent changes in the metatarsal head. It is the purpose of this study to describe the clinical case of a patient aged 30 years affected with Freiberg's disease, diagnosed at the age of 15 years, and never submitted to either conservative treatment or surgery.     

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.     

Fate of subchondral fatigue fractures of femoral head in young adults differs from general outcome of fracture healing

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to report the clinical course of fatigue-type subchondral fractures of the femoral head in young healthy adults.Materials/MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed 28 consecutive patients (34 hips) who had a clear history of a sudden increase in physical activity without trauma on the hip and pelvis, and were diagnosed as having a fatigue-type subchondral fracture of the femoral head. The diagnosis was made primarily on the basis of sequential plain radiographs and magnetic resonance images.ResultsOf the 34 hips, 19 hips with no bony collapse experienced gradual disappearance of subjective pain a few months after onset, and there were no recurrences. Other 2 hips that showed bony collapse, but preserved the articular margin, also experienced no definite deterioration of collapse or arthritic change and did not need surgical intervention. In the remaining13 hips with bony collapse and destroyed articular margin or arthritic change, hip pain gradually worsened necessitating surgery.ConclusionsThe current findings suggest that a subchondral fatigue fracture of the femoral head could show a different severity of subchondral injury over time. In the collapsed subchondral fatigue fractures, especially when combined with head incongruency, the hip pain was aggravated enough to require surgical intervention.     

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.     

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.     

Insufficiency subchondral fracture of the femoral head

The authors recently encountered a 65-year-old osteoporotic woman who had had intractable pain in the hip joint that was diagnosed clinically as osteonecrosis. She was treated by total hip replacement. Histopathologically, the most striking finding was the presence of a subchondral fracture with associated callus formation and granulation tissue along both sides of the fracture line. There was no evidence of antecedent osteonecrosis. This case was diagnosed histopathologically as insufficiency subchondral fracture of the femoral head. This is the first case report to substantiate the presence of insufficiency subchondral fracture of the femoral head by both gross and microscopic examination. Because the treatment and management of insufficiency subchondral fracture are entirely different from osteonecrosis, it is important to differentiate between these two conditions.     

Degenerative osteoarthritis of the second metatarsophalangeal joint: second toe rigidus

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the radiographic characteristics and structural configurations of a series of patients with a primary degenerative arthritis of the second metatarsophalangeal joint.

Methods

We studied 37 feet that had undergone surgical treatment for primary degenerative arthritis of the second metatarsophalangeal joint. The patients were compared with a randomly selected control group, without arthritis of the second metatarsophalangeal joint. The first, second, and fourth metatarsal lengths, and the size of the second metatarsal head were measured on weight-bearing anteroposterior radiographs. The patients were classified on the basis of joint-space narrowing, subchondral sclerosis, osteophyte formation, and subchondral cystic change.

Results

The average second metatarsal length was significantly longer in the study group (P = 0.01). The average length of the first metatarsal relative to the fourth metatarsal was significantly shorter (P = 0.02) in the study group, while the average length of the second metatarsal relative to the fourth metatarsal was significantly longer (P = 0.01) in the study group. The average diameter of the second metatarsal head was significantly larger in the study group (P = 0.00), and the average ratio of this diameter relative to the length of the fourth metatarsal was significantly higher in the study group (P = 0.00). A total of four feet were classified as grade 0, nine as grade 1, 17 as grade 2, and seven as grade 3.

Conclusions

Second toe rigidus should be considered as a diagnosis in patients with painful limited dorsiflexion of the second metatarsophalangeal joint without evidence of Freiberg’s infraction or trauma.     

A microangiographic study of idiopathic osteonecrosis of the femoral head

Microangiography was performed on 31 femoral heads with idiopathic osteonecrosis to investigate the pathogenesis of this disease from the aspect of circulation disturbance. Microangiography showed the following: (1) the interruption of the superior retinacular arteries in the extraosseous area; (2) the presence of numerous newly formed vessels of varying diameter arising from the stumps of the interrupted superior retinacular arteries; (3) compensatory hypertrophy and large-area invasion of the inferior retinacular arteries and the ligamentum teres arteries, both of which medially enter the affected head; and (4) the blockage of revascularization, which occurred along the area of subchondral fracture and collapse at the weight-bearing region. These findings strongly suggest that revascularization is aborted by the subchondral fracture and collapse caused by weight bearing. It was assumed that interference with revascularization occurred repeatedly in the repair process of affected heads due to the influence of subchondral fracture and collapse caused by weight bearing.     

The utility of clinical features for distinguishing subchondral insufficiency fracture from osteonecrosis of the femoral head

Purpose

Subchondral insufficiency fractures of the femoral head (SIF) need to be differentiated from osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ON), since these two conditions have several overlapping characteristics especially in their radiological findings. The purpose of this study was to determine the useful clinical features for differentiating SIF from ON.

Methods

This study reviewed 44 consecutive patients, aged 60 years or older with a radiological evidence of subchondral collapse of the femoral head. According to the histopathological diagnosis, 22 patients were grouped as SIF and 22 patients as ON. A 2 × 2 contingency table analysis was used to obtain the odd ratios (ORs) for SIF compared to ON.

Results

The age, proportion of females, the rate of a history of either corticosteroid intake or alcohol abuse, and the presence of vertebral compression fracture in subchondral insufficiency fracture were significantly higher than those with osteonecrosis (p = 0.0001, 0.0212, 0.0001, and 0.0040, respectively). ORs for SIF were 12.01 [95 % confidence intervals (CI) 1.35–106.80] and 7.29 (95 % CI 1.91–27.86), if the patient were female and 70 years of age or older, respectively. In addition, OR for SIF was extremely high (OR 56.01, 95 % CI 6.12–512.87) compared to ON, if the patients have a history of either corticosteroid intake or alcohol abuse.

Conclusion

The results of this study indicate that osteoporotic elderly women without any history of corticosteroid intake or alcohol abuse need to first be considered to have subchondral insufficiency fracture when radiographs show a collapse of the femoral head.     

Osteochondral Fracture of the Fourth Metatarsal Head Treated by Open Reduction and Internal Fixation

Fracture of the metatarsal head is uncommon, and reports of isolated osteochondral fracture of the metatarsal head are rare. Because of the distal location of the fracture, it is difficult to achieve and maintain reduction, and potential complications include avascular necrosis and subchondral fatigue fracture. The authors present a case of an osteochondral fracture in a 40-year-old man, which was treated by open reduction and internal fixation with a single twist-off screw, with good results 12 months postoperatively.     

Subchondral Insufficiency Fractures of the Femoral Head

A subchondral insufficiency fracture (SIF) of the femoral head is a recently proposed concept, which needs to be differentiated from osteonecrosis. Clinically, SIF has generally been observed in the osteoporotic elderly women or renal transplant recipients. Radiographical changes are not obvious in its early phase, however, some cases undergo subchondral collapse (crescent sign). On the T1-weighted magnetic resonance images, a low intensity band is one of the characteristic imaging appearances, which corresponds histologically to the fracture line and associated fracture repair tissue. Therefore, the shape of the low intensity band generally tends to be irregular, disconnected, and convex to the articular surface. The prognosis of SIF is not clearly established. Some cases show resolution of the symptoms by the conservative treatments, while other cases show rapid progression of the collapse such as rapidly progressive arthrosis of the hip.     

Freiberg’s infraction: A modified closing wedge osteotomy for an undiagnosed case

IntroductionFreiberg’s infraction is an osteonecrosis affecting the metatarsal head whose pathogenesis is not fully understood, although stress overloading by multiple microtraumas remains the most widely accepted cause. Operative treatment, by different techniques, is necessary when conservative treatment fails.Presentation of caseA 31-year old woman presented with left foot severe pain, especially at the level of the metatarsophalangeal joint (MTPJ) of the second ray, underestimated upon initial evaluation. She had a history of repetitive microtraumas, a long second metatarsal bone and altered forefoot kinematics. Clinical and radiographic findings were compatible with Freiberg’s infraction. A dorsal closing-wedge osteotomy with single screw stabilization was performed. At last follow-up, the patient was completely asymptomatic with a normal MTPJ range of motion.DiscussionOur patient had a history of repetitive microtraumas combined with a long second metatarsal bone and altered forefoot kinematics. Initially, because of the low frequency of the disease and lack of knowledge about it, even among general orthopaedic surgeons, the infraction was not diagnosed. However, the radiological characteristics of the lesion, combined with intra-operative observation and histological exams associated with the medical history and clinical exam of the patient, revealed a disease compatible with Freiberg’s syndrome. A closing-wedge osteotomy, performed by using a straight burr, appeared to be the most correct treatment.ConclusionThis case shows how Freiberg’s infraction can pass unrecognized or underestimated and how dorsal closing-wedge osteotomy can be an efficient surgical treatment.     

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.     

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.