There are several reasons for pain inside the ball of the foot. A more uncommon explanation is a condition known as Freiberg’s disease or infarction. This is a problem in which the head of a metatarsal bone that's near the base of the toes within the front foot results in being weakened and has small fractures. Freiberg’s disease most frequently affects the 2nd and 3rd metatarsals, though they all may be impacted. It is considered to be a result of repeated overload on the metatarsals heads that cause a localised insufficient blood flow to the region. These metatarsal heads next come to be less strong and breaks. Freiberg’s disease mainly happens in younger athletes over about the ages of twelve, and much more commonly impacts younger females more than younger boys. The actual micro fractures seems to originate from over stress and particularly in sporting activities that involve a considerable amount of sprints, jumping or bearing weight over the forefoot. Wearing non supporting or poorly cushioned shoes may possibly contribute to higher force on the metatarsal heads.
The typical symptoms include things like increasing pain and discomfort over the impacted metatarsal head. There is often a inflammation and slight bruising all around the metatarsal head. The discomfort will become worse with increased weightbearing actions. Frequently you will have a reduced range of motion in the damaged toe joint along with pain present on movements of the impacted toe joint. Having a limp to to relieve the pain in the affected region is also frequent. The diagnosis of Freiberg’s disease is done by a health care specialist and it is depending on quite a few characteristics such as a full clinical review that will include a structural assessment as well as a gait investigation. There will be a review of the complete pain history and medical history review to eliminate any kind of other reasons for the signs or symptoms. The joint range of flexion is going to be examined, along with a thorough palpation of the joint should be completed. The definitive diagnosis will likely be made by x-ray which often exhibits a compression with the metatarsal head, resembling a smashed egg shell within the more severe situations.
The treatment of Freibergs disease starts with rest as well as immobilisation with the foot for around 6 weeks. This is necessary in the initial part of treatment for to permit the mini fracture site to heal. The immobilisation is often finished with a moon boot or cam walker suggested by a health practitioner. Foot supports might be utilized to lessen the painful symptoms of Freibergs disease. The objective of the foot orthotics will be to accomplish this through off loading the region and in addition with some posture change with the foot. They should be offer support to the symptomatic bone and are often advised after that initial duration of immobilization. A steel or even carbon fibre plate may also often be helpful to make the footwear more rigid. Because of this there will be less flexion or bending of the footwear in the forefoot and this also decreases force on the area. Non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen can be given to decrease your pain as well as reduce inflammation. If this is not going to help then a surgical fix with the fracture site may be needed to fix the damaged tissues.
