Osteonecrosis of the Lesser Metatarsal Heads

Abstract

Osteonecrosis of the lesser metatarsal heads may be detected in both children and adults. It is also defined as Freiberg’s disease. It is an uncommon syndrome whose etiology combines potential developmental anomalies, biomechanical stresses or traumatic events, subchondral fracture and vascular injury. The second metatarsal head is the most commonly involved. The disease is much more common in females and athletes. The diagnosis is based on the clinical findings and is confirmed with plain radiographs. On physical examination, the palpable swelling, the discomfort and the motion restriction are well localized at the affected metatarsophalangeal joint. The history may be one of exacerbations and remissions, with pain aggravated by activity and relieved by rest. However, in a group of patients the disorder escapes diagnosis, until the foot is radiographically examined for a totally different reason. Radiographically, the metatarsal head may have a flattened, enlarged appearance with areas of increased sclerosis, fragmentation and collapse, resulting in incongruity of the joint surface. In the long-standing disease, the affected metatarsophalangeal joint may be narrowed and prominent secondary degenerative changes may be evident. The goal of treatment is early identification and conservative treatment of the patient, to allow bone healing and prevent rapid progression to osteoarthritis. No operative treatment modalities are effective in the early stages but surgical intervention is usually required in the late stages of the disease. The purpose of this editorial is to retrospectively review the incidence of osteonecrosis of the lesser metatarsal heads in children and adults referred at our institution and to review the relevant publications.