summary Freiberg's Disease is a rare foot condition characterized by infarction and fracture of the metatarsal head. Diagnosis is made radiographically with plain radiographs showing subchondral sclerosis, flattening of the involved MT head and eventual joint destruction in advance disease. MRI studies may be needed to detect early disease. Treatment is activity modification and NSAIDs in early disease. Surgical management is indicated for progressive pain, joint destruction and joint deformity. Epidemiology Demographics female to male = ~ 4:1 most commonly seen in patients 13-18 years more common in female adolescent athletes Anatomic location most often seen in 2nd metatarsal (MT) head, particularly the dorsal aspect 4th and 5th MT rarely affected Risk factors more common in patients with long 2nd metatarsals Etiology Pathophysiology thought to be related to a disruption in the blood supply due to microtrauma or osteonecrosis and stress overloading leads to eventual collapse of 2nd MT head Classification Smillie Classification Stage 1 Subchondral fracture visible only on MRI Stage 2 Dorsal collapse of articular surface on plain radiographs Stage 3 Collapse of dorsal MT head, with plantar articular portion intact Stage 4 Collapse of entire MT head, joint space narrowing Stage 5 Severe arthritic changes and joint space obliteration Presentation Symptoms forefoot pain, swelling and stiffness localized to head of the second MT worse with weight bearing activities Physical exam inspection peri-articular swelling motion exacerbated by distraction (early stages) and compaction (later stages) limitation of motion in 2nd MTP joint Imaging Radiographs recommended views AP, lateral, obliques of foot findings (see Smillie classification) subchondral sclerosis in early disease flattening of involved MT head joint destruction in late disease defect is usually located in the upper half of the articular surface of the MT head MRI findings can show patchy edema in metatarsal head Treatment Nonoperative activity limitations, NSAIDS, immobilization indications early stage of disease technique short leg walking cast or boot for 4-6 weeks can be used if symptoms are severe and do not improve with orthotics stiff-soled shoe with MT bars or pads typically used after period of casting Operative metatarsophalangeal arthrotomy with removal of loose bodies indications very rarely indicated only if extensive nonoperative management fails dorsal closing-wedge osteotomy indications dorsal disease involvement of bone and cartilage DuVries arthroplasty (partial MT head resection) indications severe stage 4 or 5 disease plantar cartilage is not sufficient to reconstruct joint can consider adding capsular interposition after joint debridement Techniques Metatarsophalangeal arthrotomy with removal of loose bodies approach lesser toe MTP joint approach technique may be combined with drilling of metatarsal head, subchondral bone grafting, and interposition arthroplasty using EDL tendon metatarsal head resection should be avoided due to increased loads on adjacent metatarsal heads Dorsal closing-wedge osteotomy goals shortening offloads stress on metatarsal head resects collapsed dorsal diseased bone and cartilage approach lesser toe MTP joint approach technique bring less affected plantar cartilage into contact with proximal phalanx Complications Degenerative joint disease of 2nd MTP joint in adulthood