What is Frieberg’s disease? (i need a lot of answers please!)?
I know I already asked this, but I only received one answer, so I wanted to get some other opinions, possibly professional or from people who have experienced this? Thanks!
I am an active, track-running thirteen year old girl. In April I started having moderate to severe pain in my second metatarsal on my left foot. Today (its July now) I finally saw a pediatrist. He took one look at my X-rays and immediately diagnosed me with Frieberg’s Disease. I sort of understand what it is, but…..
-What exactly IS it?
-Will I have it my whole life or just until I reach skeletal maturity?
-Will it get worse?
-Will it get better?
-Will I be able to run without making it worse? (i love running so much I could never give it up!)
-Is there any treatment besides surgery or an orthotic?
Please just tell me anything and everything you know about this rare disease!!! Thank you
please try the google search.i have found most of my info there.all the best.
Here is the Google link to your question.
My thoughts and prayers for you…
Its a disorder of the bone.
The bone will be damaged by the disease so you will probably have repercussions from it in later life.
It may stabilize at the end of puberty.
Running at the moment will definitely make it worse at you will sustain more fractures and do more damage. You should be limiting your activity!
No the orthotics and surgery are the only options.
FREIBERG’S DISEASE
Freiberg first described this entity in 1914 in six patients as an infraction (incomplete fracture without displacement of the fragments). It is more commonly seen in females, usually in the second decade. Unilateral involvement of the second metatarsal is the most common presentation, however it may occur in the third and more rarely the fourth and fifth metatarsals.
There is some controversy as to the etiology, as it is unclear as to whether this is a result of trauma or primary avascular necrosis of the metatarsal head.
Clinical Presentation and Findings: Forefoot pain, especially at the extremes of joint motion, is the chief complaint. It is primarily associated with running, but later with walking or standing. There is usually localized tenderness to palpation. They may develop painful callosities under adjacent metatarsal heads. Stiffness in the involved joint may be present.
Radiographic Findings: In the early phase, subchondral fractures may be present. As the disease progresses, resorption of the necrotic bone occurs, with epiphyseal fracture. Finally, there is flattening of the metatarsal head with severe deformity. Varying degrees of thickening of the metatarsal shaft may be present, representing the response to abnormal stress along the metatarsal.
Treatment: Early in the disease process, short term immobilization in a plaster cast is indicated. In later stages, a metatarsal pad or bar inserted proximal to the MTP joint may be utilized. This should be continued during athletic activities until the epiphysis closes. NSAIDS may help relieved discomfort from periarticular tissue swelling. Surgical treatment is not indicated in the child unless symptoms persist after ceasing athletic activity, conservative treatment fails, or radiographs reveal an incongruent joint with a deformed metatarsal head.
Surgical procedures for Freiberg’s disease include the following: (1) debridement of the metatarsal with removal of loose bodies, (2) dorsiflexion osteotomy of the distal metatarsal, and (3) shortening osteotomy of the metatarsal. Resection of the metatarsal head should not be performed because of the complications of hallux valgus and adjacent metatarsalgia.
I was diagnosed with frieberg’s disease at around your age too (13) and I am now 17 and still have symptoms. OK, so basically frieberg’s disease is when the blood flow to the growth plate in the head of the second metatarsal gets cut off, and causes the joint to collapse. Got it? It’s kind of a confusing term, but it will make sense, i promise! The pain that you are feeling is caused by the lack of circulation to the bone. Whatever you do will not make the condition WORSE, however: it will be painful! You have to be your own best doctor and judge when the pain is too severe for you to continue your activites. If it is unbearable, try using tylenol or advil or motrin to help the symptoms subside for a while. Make sure you tell your track coaches about this! who knows, they might have delt with it before since its most common in active teen girls. I was in full time classical ballet training when I was diagnosed with a SEVERE case. I took two years off and used a molded orthotic wherever I went. Although the pain was still there, I could definately tell a difference. Unfortuneately: yes, an orthotic or surgery are the only treatments. Orthotics are very expensive (usually between 300 and 500 dollars!) If this is not an option for you, there are cheaper products you can find in the pharmacy like metatarsal pads or bars or shock absorbing foot pads that will take away some of the pressure. I do not recommend Dr. Schollz products: they don’t work very well at all. There are orthotics made by shoe size that are about 50 dollars and still work decently well. It would be a good idea to get a second opinion from another podiatrist and see what they say. But do it soon, the longer you go untreated the more painful it may get. Also, get a GOOD pairs of shoes and sneakers. A high arch will put less pressure on the affected area. In the summer, make sure you have shoes with soft soles. I recommend good, supportive, strap sandals with a high arch. Crocs are quite comfortable too because they are so soft and cushioned. This condition will leave some kind of permanant damage to the bone and foot. When you get much older you can always consider getting the joint replaced surgically, like getting a hip replaced. Good news is you most likely will only have the full blown symptoms until you reach full skeletal maturity! Mine has gotten much better in the past year or so. But it will probably always hurt a little bit. Do some light training and ease into your normal running workouts. When I had it, people recommended swimming. I found dragging my foot through the water to be extremely painful! Don’t stop running though, just go easy. Try to get something like a boot on your foot or use crutches for a bit to keep yourself from reinjuring it. I know, just a light tap against something and you want to just scream in pain! If you have any other questions PLEASE feel free to email me, i mean it!!!!!!!!! Good luck! I wish you all the best in feeling better and in your track career! I hope this helped!!!!