Freibergs disease

I live in Toronto and I had my 2nd Frieberg's Infraction surgery 4 weeks ago.

I had it done on the left foot 3 yrs ago and it was awful and I said I would never do it again but I couldn't get shoes to fit and so had to give in to do the right foot recently.

Same doctor as before but he gave me inflammatory medication this time and a bit of cortisone with the surgery.  I took the meds for 5 days.

Pain was so minimal compared to the first time.  I couldn't believe the difference. 

My left foot is great and after 4 weeks I can wear a running shoe. 

It takes a good 2-3 mths to feel better. 

Doctors think you can wear a shoe at 4 weeks but it's tough to do that.

No canes ever!

I had surgery with a Podiatrist vs a hospital because I could see what he was doing during the operation.  He also showed me the monitor at the same time and explained it all.

Cost was $2800 but well worth it.

Good luck

What specific surgery did you have?

Hello my name is kim and i have had five operations on both my feet and need three more ..since i was 12 i was diadnosed with freiberghs disease and condtion i also have weak ankles which cause me a lot of problems with walking and standing ..i use a walking stick now to help me ..most days i am in so much i could cry with the pain i am due to have another operation onthe 23rd of feb this year to have my foot reconstructed and the big toe straighten to help me with the pain and walking ..i have tried to meet other people with the same condtion as me ..and would like to meet others to get some moral support ....even if we can mee tup for a cuppa that would be nice .

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I had osteotomy performed by Dr. Mark Myerson at Mercy Hospital in Baltimore...he was fabulous. I was completely hobbled by Freiberg's in my left foot....I was back running after it healed. Best thing I ever did! Good luck

Hi,
I have the same problem. I was diagoned with this almost 2 years ago.. initally i had too much pain. but not it is kind off bearable. and i just fail pain if i twist my toes more. i was prescribed to wear metatarsal bar. but now doctor is saying that this will be always like this and will never improve on its own. Only option is to get a surgery or let this be like that only forever. iam confused and worried also..

Hi,
i hope you are fine now
I have the same problem. I was diagoned with this almost 2 years ago.. initally i had too much pain. but not it is kind off bearable. and i just fail pain if i twist my toes more. i was prescribed to wear metatarsal bar. but now doctor is saying that this will be always like this and will never improve on its own. Only option is to get a surgery or let this be like that only forever. iam confused and worried also..

Hi,
I hope you are fine
I have the same problem. I was diagoned with this almost 2 years ago.. initally i had too much pain. but not it is kind off bearable. and i just fail pain if i twist my toes more. i was prescribed to wear metatarsal bar. but now doctor is saying that this will be always like this and will never improve on its own. Only option is to get a surgery or let this be like that only forever. iam confused and worried also..

Hi everyone,

I just thought I would also contribute to these posts as a sufferer of Freibergs disease as well.  I can't say how comforting it is to be able to see others stories and experiences and share mine too. It brings some relief if not in a physical sense then at least mentally to know that there are options out there that can offer some remedy to this debilitating disease!

I too was diagnosed around 2 years ago. I am now 21 years old. Initially I thought I jabbed my toe because it was a dull throbbing pain but after 2 months when the pain didn't subside I went to get an xray needless to say noone knew what it was! I couldn't believe that it was about 1 year later after I saw a rheumatologist who sent me to do an MRI scan that they discovered I had Freibergs. Despite the official diagnosis most had blank faces and didn't know how to treat it!

Anyway 2.5 years later my journey has involved wearing a camboot for 3 months (I didn't choose the cortisone injection despite my rheumatologist recommending it my podiatrist and my GP said all you will be doing is treating the symptoms not the cause and even worse you would be weakening the actual bone - if you choose this method then go with the the plant based one according to my podiatrist!), spending $500+ (and continuing) on all kinds of shoes and orthotics, naturopaths, spiritual healers even! and forking out $250 for a 10 minute visit to an obnoxious orthapedic surgeon!

But after my lowest point which was when I was crying having to walk up the stairs of my house on my knees because of the pain for some reason the pain started to lessen week after week. To the point where I can even run on the treadmill albeit it still hurts!

The pain is still there as an everlasting reminder that the disease still has a hold of me but currently I am not giving in! I wear my ($250) orthotics in my sport shoes and predominantly wear them when I go to uni or the shops. Of course, going out to dinner is where my lovely "Hushpuppy" ballet flats come into action but only for an hour or two!

I really can't explain why the pain went on a scale of 1 to 100, from 150 to now 40 on most days. I did read that sometimes it spontaneously resolves itself. But I can understand that at my lowest point spontaneous resolutions is a solution too uncertain and indefinte to wait for in a time of such crisis.

I hope my story can offer some consolation to the sufferers out there. Because I know that even when people told me that it could resolve spontaneously I tried believing it but couldn't see that it could ever happen. But in my case it has! (despite waiting 2.5 years for it!) I can say that I am now happily walking about with a jab every now and then :)

I hope you guys don't lose hope! If anything let this thing empower you to do things the 'non-Freibergians' can't even do like walk swiftly up the stairs on your knees! (I am a pro now!)

I am more than happy to share my story if anyone just needs a chat via email :)

I have Freibergs in both of my feet, 2nd toes, I've had 2 surgeries on my left foot and 3 on my right. I found out I had it in my left food in hs and had 2 surgeries to remove the debris and clean up around that bone which helped a lot for the longest time. I found out I had it in my right foot about 10 years after that and tried a screw shaped implant which hurt horribly, then a silicone ball implant which was better but still felt like I was stepping on a small rock. My last surgery on my right foot was to take out the implant and just clean up the debris and bone again.. that seems to have been the best solution for me. It still hurts if I go to the zoo or do a lot of walking/standing but much better than before. Don't be afraid of surgery, much better to do something than live with the pain.

Hi There,

I too am interested to talk to someone and share my story, this is a rare disease with alot of misinformation.

Hi Mac,

I was told it is not possible to have Freibergs in both feet but I seem to??! I wouold be interested to start a discussion with you regarding your journey as mine has only just started

I would like to talk to someone with Freibergs Disease

My story sounds very similar to yours, the verdict is still out as to weather it is Freibergs or RA as I have it in both feet. One more Mri to go.

 

Hi there!
Hey, I have had freiburgs for 30 years(I'm 43 now!) and really want to run a half marathon... I usually "hate" running because of the pain. But I want to run and enjoy it! Would you please give me more info on the orthotics that you used.
Congrats on your great running times by the way! So exciting!

Any info would be so greatly appreciated! Thanks a bunch!
Yours in running!
Nicky

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I had a very similar treatment of my Friebergs with no surgery and just a boot and crutches for one month of the 7 I went through without sports/exercise. I had orthodics as well, although mine were originally given to me for a different reason; however, with this conservative approach I only received a pain free year before my Friebergs returned. I liked the conservative approach and my bone healed itself very well despite the severity, I just wish that it lasted. I'm back in at the doctors trying to decide on the best treatments since extra padding and cortisone have no effects. I think I'm starting medication soon but we will see if that helps. I'm very frustrated that it happened again and i am hoping it heals itself because my doctor really doesn't want to do surgery.