Getting to Know Freiberg's Disease in Children

When children and teenagers complain of pain in the ball of their foot, especially around the second or third toe, it's easy to think it's from overdoing it at sports practice. However, sometimes, this persistent discomfort can be due to a specific condition called Freiberg's Disease. It's important for parents and active kids to know about this issue so it can be addressed early, which is why we at PodiatryCare, PC, and the Heel Pain Center will unpack it in this article.

What is Freiberg's Disease?

Freiberg's Disease is a problem that affects the long bones in the front part of the foot, specifically the rounded end of a metatarsal bone (most commonly the second one, sometimes the third) during a child’s development.

Essentially, the blood supply to this small section of bone gets interrupted. And without enough blood, the bone tissue starts to die and eventually flattens or collapses, which can lead to pain-causing changes in the nearby joint.

Why Does Freiberg’s Disease Occur?

It's not always clear why Freiberg's Disease develops, but it seems to be a mix of mechanical stress and issues with blood flow.

Lifestyle

Activities that put a lot of repetitive pressure on the front of the foot, like running, jumping, and dancing, are major contributors.

Genetics

Some kids genetically have a second toe that's longer than their big toe, which can put more weight and pressure on the second metatarsal bone.

Hormones

Hormones also play a role, as it's much more common in adolescent girls.

High Heels

Wearing high-heeled shoes during the teenage years might also contribute because they push a lot of weight onto the forefoot.

Symptoms of Freiberg’s Disease

Symptoms of Freiberg's Disease usually show up gradually, without a single major injury. The main symptom is pain in the ball of the foot, specifically right where the affected toe connects to the foot. This pain typically gets worse when putting weight on the foot, walking a lot, or standing for long periods, especially if wearing certain types of shoes like high heels.

Sometimes, a child might limp to avoid putting pressure on the painful, swollen area. This can cause calluses to form right under the affected part of the foot due to the changed pressure.

Conditions That Could Mimic Freiberg’s Disease

Because the symptoms can be a bit general, Freiberg's Disease can sometimes be mistaken for other forefoot problems, such as stress fractures or metatarsalgia.

It can also have symptoms that overlap with nerve issues like Morton's neuroma or juvenile arthritis. Seeing a podiatrist is the only way to rule out these differential diagnoses and get to the bottom of the issue.

At PodiatryCare, PC, and the Heel Pain Center, we treat a wide variety of foot and ankle ailments. Dr. Matthew Tschudy, Dr. Rebecca Wiesner, Dr. Kristen Winters, Dr. Laura Vander Poel, and the rest of our team are ready to serve our Hartford County patients. To schedule an appointment at our Enfield location, call (860) 741-3041; for an appointment at our South Windsor location, call (860) 644-6525.