A new surgical technique for treating bilateral Freiberg disease.

Abstract

Freiberg disease is relatively rare and difficult to treat satisfactorily. We describe a new surgical technique of osteochondral plug transplantation for late-stage Freiberg disease that may restore normal function to the metatarsophalangeal joint. In the present series, we performed osteochondral plug transplantation to treat a stage IV lesion, according to Smillie's classification, by harvesting an osteochondral plug from the non-weight-bearing site on the upper lateral femoral condyle of the ipsilateral knee. We also treated a stage II lesion using retrograde drilling. One year after surgery, the patient had no pain when running and returned to full athletic activity. The clinical and morphologic results were excellent. Arthroscopic intervention produced good results in the early stages and osteochondral plug transplantation may be an excellent surgical procedure to restore normal function to the metatarsophalangeal joint in the later stages of Freiberg disease.