Overview
Osteochondrosis of the metatarsal bone, also known as Freiberg's disease or Freiberg's infraction, is a condition where the bone tissue at the head of one of the metatarsal bones in the foot begins to break down and die. The metatarsals are the long bones in the middle of your foot that connect your ankle bones to your toes. Most often, the second metatarsal is affected, though the third or fourth can also be involved. This breakdown happens because the blood supply to that part of the bone is disrupted, causing the bone to weaken, flatten, and sometimes collapse over time. The condition most commonly appears during adolescence, especially in active young people and teenage girls, but it can also develop in adults. The main symptoms include pain and tenderness in the ball of the foot, swelling around the affected area, and difficulty walking or bearing weight. The joint near the affected bone may become stiff and limited in movement. Treatment usually starts with rest, supportive footwear, and orthotics to take pressure off the damaged bone. In more severe cases, a cast or boot may be used. If conservative treatments do not help, surgery may be considered to clean out the joint, reshape the bone, or in some cases fuse the joint. With early diagnosis and proper care, many people recover well and return to normal activities.
Key symptoms:
Pain in the ball of the foot, especially near the second or third toeSwelling and tenderness over the affected metatarsal boneStiffness in the toe joint closest to the affected boneDifficulty walking or putting weight on the footLimping or altered walking patternWorsening pain with activity and relief with restA feeling of fullness or thickness in the front of the footReduced range of motion in the affected toe jointOccasional clicking or grinding sensation in the joint
Clinical phenotype terms (19)— hover any for plain English
Sporadic
Usually appears on its own, not inherited from a parent
Juvenile
Begins in the teen years
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Osteochondrosis of the metatarsal bone.
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Specialists
View all specialists →No specialists are currently listed for Osteochondrosis of the metatarsal bone.
Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Osteochondrosis of the metatarsal bone.
Community
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Caregiver Resources
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Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.What stage is my Freiberg's disease, and how much has the bone been damaged so far?,Will conservative treatment be enough, or is surgery likely in my case?,How long will I need to rest or avoid sports, and what activities are safe during recovery?,What type of footwear or orthotics do you recommend, and where can I get them?,How often do I need follow-up X-rays or MRI scans to check on healing?,What signs should I watch for that would mean the condition is getting worse?,If surgery is needed, what are the different options and what are the risks and recovery times?
Common questions about Osteochondrosis of the metatarsal bone
What is Osteochondrosis of the metatarsal bone?
Osteochondrosis of the metatarsal bone, also known as Freiberg's disease or Freiberg's infraction, is a condition where the bone tissue at the head of one of the metatarsal bones in the foot begins to break down and die. The metatarsals are the long bones in the middle of your foot that connect your ankle bones to your toes. Most often, the second metatarsal is affected, though the third or fourth can also be involved. This breakdown happens because the blood supply to that part of the bone is disrupted, causing the bone to weaken, flatten, and sometimes collapse over time. The condition most
How is Osteochondrosis of the metatarsal bone inherited?
Osteochondrosis of the metatarsal bone follows a sporadic inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
At what age does Osteochondrosis of the metatarsal bone typically begin?
Typical onset of Osteochondrosis of the metatarsal bone is juvenile. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.