Interpositional arthroplasty with extensor digitorum brevis tendon in Freiberg's disease: a new surgical technique

Freiberg's infraction is an osteochondrosis of a lesser metatarsal head resulting in joint degeneration. There is no consensus regarding the management of these lesions. Here, we describe an interpositional arthroplasty using extensor digitorum brevis tendon as a solution for Freiberg's disease.

Between 2003 and 2006, 6 women and 4 men with Freiberg's disease unresponsive to conservative treatment were operated with interpositional arthroplasty with extensor digitorum brevis tendon. Mean age was 34 (range, 20 to 48) years and followup time 24.6 (range, 12 to 36) months. The transferred tendon was passed through a tunnel, centered, stabilized and rolled into a ball following the debridement of joint. According to the Smillie classification, there were 3 grade II, 5 grade III, and 2 grade IV. The AOFAS scoring system was used for clinical assesment.

The mean preoperative and postoperative AOFAS scores were 58.3 (range, 44 to 77) and 80.4 (range, 67 to 100), respectively. The complaint of pain with joint motion was decreased in all patients except one. The postoperative passive range of motion of joints did not differ significantly. We found 4 excellent (40%), 5 good (50%) and 1 poor (10%) result.

We recommend our technique of interpositional arthroplasty with the extensor digitorum brevis tendon because it is free of additional donor site morbidity. It can be performed easily without specialized instruments. Also, the use of natural tissue eliminates potential foreign body reactions and risk of infection.