There are numerous reasons to get problems within the ball of the feet. A more uncommon reason is a problem known as Freiberg’s disease or infarction. It is a problem where the end of a metatarsal bone that's at the base of the toes within the ball of the foot becomes less strong and has small fractures. It most commonly affects the 2nd and 3rd metatarsal bones, although all metatarsals can be affected. It is believed to be a result of recurrent overload on the metatarsals bone that create a local insufficient blood circulation to the bone. The metatarsal heads then become less strong and has micro fractures. Freiberg’s disease generally occurs in young athletes over about the ages of 12, and much more typically affects younger girls greater than young boys. The actual micro fractures appears to result from overloads especially in sporting activities which involve lots of sprints, leaping or bearing weight over the forefoot. Wearing non supportive or non-cushioning footwear might bring about increased force upon the metatarsal bones.
The standard features consist of increasing pain and discomfort overlying the impacted metatarsal head. There's often a inflammation and slight discoloration all around the metatarsal head. The pain sensation can become worse with increased weightbearing exercises. Typically you will find a reduced flexibility in the affected toe joint with discomfort found with movements of the damaged toe. Having a limp to get weight off the affected area is furthermore a common finding. Detecting Freiberg’s disease is made by a medical specialist and is according to many characteristics like a full clinical examination that can include a biomechanical assessment and a gait evaluation. You will have a review of the complete pain and discomfort background and medical history assessment to rule out any kind of other reasons for the signs or symptoms. The joint range of flexion will be evaluated, along with a thorough palpation of the region will be completed. The definitive analysis will likely be performed by x-ray which characteristically exhibits a flattening with the metatarsal head, resembling a crushed egg shell with the more severe instances.
The management of Freibergs disease starts with rest as well as immobilisation of the area for as much as 6 weeks. This can be needed in the early period of therapy for it to permit the minuscule fracture in the bone to recover. The immobilisation is often done with a moon boot or cam walker recommended by a health practitioner. Foot insoles may be utilized to lessen the painful signs and symptoms of Freibergs disease. The objective of the foot orthoses would be to accomplish that by decreasing the force for the location and in addition with some posture change with the feet. They must provide support for the symptomatic area and so are generally prescribed after that first period of immobilization. A metal or even graphite plate also can regularly utilized to make the footwear more rigid. This means that you will find much less flexion or bending of the footwear in the forefoot which cuts down load on the location. Non steroidal anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen could be given for pain relief and to reduce inflammation. If this does not improve then a surgical restoration with the fracture site may be needed to fix the pain.
