Living with Freiberg disease
A rare condition affecting the long bones of the foot, usually the second or third metatarsal, causing pain and a limp.
Understanding Freiberg disease
Common symptoms are pain and stiffness at the front of the foot, often leading to a limp. People may also have swelling, limited motion, and tenderness. Symptoms are generally triggered by weight-bearing activities such as walking. It usually starts in the teen or adult years.
Signs & symptoms
Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these among the most common:
- Foot pain
- Stiff joints
- Limp (gait disturbance)
- Swelling in the foot
- Joint pain and arthritis
- Flattened head of the foot bone
Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Diagnosis
- 1Talk with your doctor
Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.
- 2See a specialist
Specialists who may be involved include autoimmune and inflammatory disease specialists and bone and joint specialists.
- 3Ask which tests can help
Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.
Care & treatment
- Care team
- autoimmune and inflammatory disease specialists (rheumatologists); Bone and joint specialists (orthopedists or orthopedic surgeons)
- Expert care
- Ask about multidisciplinary care centers for rare conditions
- Treatment
- GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
- Research
- Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.
General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.
Everyday life
Living with a rare condition is easier with support.
- Connect with rare disease patient organizations for support
- Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
- Ask about patient registries that help research
- Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Quick facts
The exact cause is currently unknown.
Also known as: avascular necrosis of the metatarsal bone; freiberg infraction; freiberg-kohler syndrome; freiberg's disease; freiberg's infraction; juvenile osteochondrosis of second metatarsal
Patient organizations
Rare-disease groups that can help
- Global GenesRare Diseases · United States
- National Organization for Rare DisordersRare Diseases · United States
- Genetic AllianceRare Diseases · United States
- RARE FoundationRare Diseases · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with Freiberg disease.
Explore research for Freiberg disease
Explore actively recruiting Freiberg disease studies with HealthSpark.
Find actively recruiting studies for Freiberg disease with HealthSpark. Share your city to explore research near you.
- Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
- Share your city to look for research near you
- Eligibility is confirmed by the study team
Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper
I can help you find recruiting Freiberg disease studies. Enter a ZIP code, address or city below and I'll look within 50 miles.
Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.
Get Signals for Freiberg disease
Stay in the loop with community stories and updates from medical researchers.
Create a living journal that talks back
HealthStory evolves private journaling with a living AI journal that talks back and asks thoughtful questions, helping you capture your Freiberg disease experiences more deeply and prepare for better conversations with your doctors and care team.
Your journal is private. Sharing your story publicly is a separate choice, made with Share your story above.