label: Metatarsal head osteochondrosis
label_lc: metatarsal head osteochondrosis
description: Avascular necrosis of a metatarsal head, most commonly involving the second, but also the third or fourth, metatarsal.nComment: Affected individuals may present with foot pain on weight-bearing, swelling, and tenderness. Radiological features include widening of the metatarsophalangeal joint space and flattening of the affected metatarsal head, at later stages metatarsal head sclerosis, cortical thickening, and intra-articular loose bodies. Osteochondrosis is a condition resulting from an epiphysis injury that alters enchondral ossification and produces irregularity at the joint surface. Freiberg disease is characterized as osteochondrosis of the metatarsal heads (primarily the second).