What is Lumbar Degenerative Disc Disease?
Lumbar degenerative disc disease affects the lower spine and is characterized by progressive wear of the intervertebral discs. Though more common in adults, early signs may appear in athletes under repeated lumbar strain or poor posture.
Definition
The disease, Freiberg’s disease is a condition that affects the head of the second metatarsal, which is one of the bones of the foot. The disease occurs when there is an interruption of blood flow in the bone, which causes the death of the bone tissue and its decomposition. This decay can cause pain, swelling and deformation of the affected bone.
Causes
The causes of the disease Freiberg may vary. Often, the condition is caused by an injury to the foot or overhead repetitive. This can be common in sports that involve jumping, running, and repetitive movements such as basketball or volleyball. In addition, the disease can also be caused by excessive pressure in the foot due to obesity or diabetes.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of the disease Freiberg begins with a physical exam and a complete medical history. The doctor will look for signs of pain, swelling, and deformity in the affected foot. You can perform imaging tests, such as x-rays, magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography to confirm the diagnosis and determine the extent of the disease.
Treatment
The treatment of the disease Freiberg depends on the severity of the condition. Treatment options can vary from the rest and the reduction of the activity until the surgery. In mild cases, it may be sufficient to reduce the activity, to use proper footwear and take medicines for pain and inflammation. If the pain is more severe, it may be necessary to use splints or boots for the walk or to perform any injections of corticosteroids to reduce inflammation.
In severe cases of the disease, surgery may be necessary to correct the bone deformity and improve the function of the foot. The surgery may involve the removal of the dead bone, or performing an osteotomy to realign the bone and reduce the pressure on the affected area.
Rehabilitation
After the treatment, it is important to carry out the rehabilitation to help restore the function of the foot and prevent a recurrence of the disease. Rehabilitation can include mobility exercises, strengthening and stretching to the foot, ankle and leg are affected. It can also be helpful to work with a physical therapist to create a personalized exercise program and supervised.
Back action
The return to physical activity after the treatment of the disease Freiberg should be gradual and supervised. It is important to follow the recommendations of the doctor and the physical therapist as to the amount and type of physical activity that can be done to prevent a relapse of the disease. It may be necessary to make modifications in physical activity to reduce the pressure on the affected foot, such as changing the footwear or use custom templates.
It is important to remember that the prevention of the disease of Freiberg is the key to prevent its appearance. This includes the use of appropriate footwear, the realization of strengthening and stretching exercises for the foot and leg, and the modification of the physical activity if you are experiencing pain or discomfort in the foot.
Note: this article is only intended to be informational use. In any case self-diagnose. If you suffer from any medical condition, we recommend that you go to your physical therapy clinic of confidence.
Cedric Arregui Guivarch National Coach of Basketball (CES 2014)
Bibliography and Webgrafía
- DePablos-White, M. (2019). Disease of Freiberg. Orthopaedics and traumatology: scientific Journal, 1(1), 30-36.
- Martínez, R. M., López, E. J. G., & Garcia, J. L. C. (2017). Disease Freiberg: library upgrade. International journal of Science Podológicas, 11(1), 9-16.
- Mayo Clinic. (2022). Disease of Freiberg. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/es-es/diseases-conditions/freiberg-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20373297
- Ruiz-Muñoz, M., Hernández-Hernández, D., Lopez-Picazo, M. A., & Gómez-Fernández, C. (2015). Surgical treatment of the disease of Freiberg. Spanish journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology, 59(1), 20-26.
- Fernández-Cuadros, M. E., Garcia-Mata, S., Lázaro-Martínez, J. L., & Aragón-Sánchez, J. (2019). Disease Freiberg: apropos of a case and review of the literature. Endocrinology, Diabetes and Nutrition, 66(4), 277-279.
