There are many different causes for pain in the ball of the feet. A less frequent diagnosis is a problem referred to as Freiberg’s disease or infarction. It is a disorder in which the end of a metatarsal bone that's at the bottom of the toes in the ball of the foot will become less strong and it has small fractures. It most often impacts the 2nd and 3rd metatarsals, however all metatarsal heads may be affected. It is thought to be due to repeated overload on the metatarsals heads which result in a local insufficient blood flow to the region. These metatarsal bones next become weaker and collapses. Freiberg’s disease mainly happens in young athletes over approximately the age of twelve, and more frequently affects younger females greater than young males. The micro fractures appears to result from over stress especially in sports which entail a considerable amount of sprinting, jumping or bearing weight on the forefoot. Wearing non supporting or poorly cushioned footwear may bring about increased pressure on the metatarsal heads.
The common signs or symptoms include increasing pain and discomfort overlying the impacted metatarsal bone. There's often a inflammation and bruising about the involved area. The pain can get worse with an increase in weightbearing exercises. In most cases you will find a reduced range of motion with the affected toe joint together with pain present with motion with the damaged toe joint. Limping to get weight off the damaged region is furthermore common. Detecting Freiberg’s disease is made by a health care specialist and it is determined by several characteristics such as a full clinical assessment that will include a structural assessment as well as a walking evaluation. You will have a review of the complete pain and discomfort background and health background review to eliminate any other causes for the symptoms. The joint range of flexion is going to be examined, and a direct palpation of the bone should be performed. The definitive examination is usually performed by x-ray which usually shows a compression with the metatarsal head, resembling a crushed egg shell with the more extreme instances.
The management of Freibergs disease starts off with rest along with immobilisation with the area for approximately 6 weeks. This is necessary in the initial part of treatment for it to permit the minuscule fracture area to heal. The immobilisation is frequently carried out with a moon boot or perhaps cam brace suggested by a health practitioner. Foot orthotics might be employed to lessen the painful signs and symptoms of Freibergs disease. The purpose of the foot supports is to achieve this by reducing the stress in the metatarsal head and also with some posture change with the feet. They must provide support for the symptomatic area and so are generally advised after that early duration of immobilization. A metal or even graphite plate may also regularly helpful to make the footwear stiffer. Because of this you will find much less flexion or bending of the footwear in the front foot and this reduces force on the location. Non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like motrin might be given to decrease your pain as well as reduce inflammation. When this is not going to help then a surgical restoration with the fracture site may be needed to repair the damaged tissues.