## Freiberg disease (active management) Protecting the painful joint comes before exercises. Use only permitted options during recovery, without pain or pressure on the metatarsal head. Toe movements are alternatives, not a full circuit. - ![Move your toes without using your hands](https://ortopediaevolutiva.com/clinical-print-figures/3803917c8f6e2de7.webp) #### 1. Move your toes without using your hands When movement is allowed, sit and support your foot without resting on the sore area. Slowly bend and straighten your toes through a small, comfortable range, then relax. Do not push the toe with your hands or try to reach the limit. 5 slow movements, once a day; relax between movements. - ![Ball massage (avoiding painful area)](https://ortopediaevolutiva.com/clinical-print-figures/7b4a804906aeb73a.webp) #### 2. Ball under the arch and heel Recovery: movement allowed and painless Sit with a tennis ball under the sole. Roll it slowly under the arch and heel, completely avoiding the painful metatarsal area at the forefoot. Keep pressure comfortable; do not stand on the ball. 3 minutes each foot daily; rest as needed. - ![Intrinsic muscle strengthening (towel curls)](https://ortopediaevolutiva.com/clinical-print-figures/c376b4ae60530ef1.webp) #### 3. Gently gather a towel Only when toe movement is allowed and painless, sit with a towel under your foot. Gently draw a small section towards you by bending your toes, then release. Do not add weights or press on the sore joint. 5 small grips, once a day; an alternative to the other toe exercises. - ![Calf stretch](https://ortopediaevolutiva.com/clinical-print-figures/0e46416d0daccea2.webp) #### 4. Wall calf stretch Recovery: movement allowed and painless With loading allowed, put your hands on the wall, back leg straight and heel down. Move your hips forwards gently to a mild calf stretch. Hold and relax without painful forefoot pressure; stop if it hurts. 3 × 30 seconds, twice daily; rest 30 seconds. Exercises — continued - ![Toe yoga (toe control)](https://ortopediaevolutiva.com/clinical-print-figures/ea157d30a7c55b56.webp) #### 5. Lift the toes in turn Recovery: movement allowed and painless Sit with the foot resting comfortably. Lift only the big toe with the others down. Then lower the big toe and lift the other toes; relax and alternate slowly without causing joint pain. 15 each movement, twice daily; relax between attempts. - ![Toe spreading (toe spreads)](https://ortopediaevolutiva.com/clinical-print-figures/6d9db9a06b24fbe2.webp) #### 6. Spread the toes Recovery: movement allowed and painless Sit with the foot supported and toes relaxed. Gently spread the toes, hold briefly and relax. Do not push them apart by hand or with separators; keep the affected joint painless. 10 repetitions, twice daily; relax between attempts. - ![Single-leg balance](https://ortopediaevolutiva.com/clinical-print-figures/153f75dcf8acdd88.webp) #### 7. Balance without rolling onto the edge Recovery: weight-bearing allowed and painless With loading allowed, stand beside a table, eyes open and natural foot contact painless. Hold the support and lift one foot slightly. Balance without shifting onto the outer edge, then put it down. Stop for forefoot pain. 3 × 20 seconds each leg daily; rest 30 seconds. Cycling and low-impact activities may still load the forefoot. Return to weight-bearing and sport follows the individual clinical plan. Suitability depends on the individual medical assessment. Starting exercises without assessment can be dangerous. ### When to stop - Stop for sudden or increasing pain, swelling or difficulty moving; contact your clinician. - Fever, a hot/red joint, inability to bear weight, tingling, numbness or sudden weakness: urgent assessment; emergency care if severe. **Dott. Daniele Priano** · Paediatric orthopaedics [Exercise instructions and videos online](https://ortopediaevolutiva.com/en/parents-kids/exercises/foot-ankle/freiberg-exercises) · Printed: 28/10/2026 ![QR: exercise sheet and videos](https://ortopediaevolutiva.com/exercise-qr/en-piede-caviglia-freiberg-esercizi.svg) - [Home](https://ortopediaevolutiva.com/en) - [Conditions](https://ortopediaevolutiva.com/en/conditions) - [Freiberg disease (active management)](https://ortopediaevolutiva.com/en/conditions/freibergs-disease) - Exercises [Back to Foot & Ankle](https://ortopediaevolutiva.com/en/parents-kids/exercises/foot-ankle) # Freiberg disease (active management) 7 exercises Print exercise sheet / PDF Share exercise sheet Protecting the painful joint comes before exercises. Use only permitted options during recovery, without pain or pressure on the metatarsal head. Toe movements are alternatives, not a full circuit. ## Exercises - 1 #### Move your toes without using your hands ![Illustration: Move your toes without using your hands](https://ortopediaevolutiva.com/clinical-home-color/active-toes-color.webp) When movement is allowed, sit and support your foot without resting on the sore area. Slowly bend and straighten your toes through a small, comfortable range, then relax. Do not push the toe with your hands or try to reach the limit. 5 slow movements, once a day; relax between movements. Active toe movement Illustrated video with synthetic narration. Play loads YouTube. [Open on YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YbFN8HCqYKQ) The video shows the movement. Follow the dose and precautions on this sheet. - 2 #### Ball under the arch and heel Recovery: movement allowed and painless ![Illustration: Ball under the arch and heel](https://ortopediaevolutiva.com/assets/154-massaggio-pallina-v1-CqsRd7_d.webp) Sit with a tennis ball under the sole. Roll it slowly under the arch and heel, completely avoiding the painful metatarsal area at the forefoot. Keep pressure comfortable; do not stand on the ball. 3 minutes each foot daily; rest as needed. - 3 #### Gently gather a towel ![Illustration: Gently gather a towel](https://ortopediaevolutiva.com/assets/115-towel-curls-v1-Bp5ZbOtj.webp) Only when toe movement is allowed and painless, sit with a towel under your foot. Gently draw a small section towards you by bending your toes, then release. Do not add weights or press on the sore joint. 5 small grips, once a day; an alternative to the other toe exercises. Towel curls Illustrated video with synthetic narration. Play loads YouTube. [Open on YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFWa8e4SCIA) The video shows the movement. Follow the dose and precautions on this sheet. - 4 #### Wall calf stretch Recovery: movement allowed and painless ![Illustration: Wall calf stretch](https://ortopediaevolutiva.com/clinical-approved-color/94d000f0106165e5.webp) With loading allowed, put your hands on the wall, back leg straight and heel down. Move your hips forwards gently to a mild calf stretch. Hold and relax without painful forefoot pressure; stop if it hurts. 3 × 30 seconds, twice daily; rest 30 seconds. Wall calf stretch straight knee Illustrated video with synthetic narration. Play loads YouTube. [Open on YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDyTZUMFMrQ) The video shows the movement. Follow the dose and precautions on this sheet. - 5 #### Lift the toes in turn Recovery: movement allowed and painless ![Illustration: Lift the toes in turn](https://ortopediaevolutiva.com/assets/074-03-toe-yoga-v1-BBMCn1uF.webp) Sit with the foot resting comfortably. Lift only the big toe with the others down. Then lower the big toe and lift the other toes; relax and alternate slowly without causing joint pain. 15 each movement, twice daily; relax between attempts. Toe yoga Illustrated video with synthetic narration. Play loads YouTube. [Open on YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mq0nRBXNg9M) The video shows the movement. Follow the dose and precautions on this sheet. - 6 #### Spread the toes Recovery: movement allowed and painless ![Illustration: Spread the toes](https://ortopediaevolutiva.com/assets/209-toe-spreads-v1-Cj78t82I.webp) Sit with the foot supported and toes relaxed. Gently spread the toes, hold briefly and relax. Do not push them apart by hand or with separators; keep the affected joint painless. 10 repetitions, twice daily; relax between attempts. - 7 #### Balance without rolling onto the edge Recovery: weight-bearing allowed and painless ![Illustration: Balance without rolling onto the edge](https://ortopediaevolutiva.com/assets/076-07-equilibrio-monopodalico-v2-Wzt1j-br.webp) With loading allowed, stand beside a table, eyes open and natural foot contact painless. Hold the support and lift one foot slightly. Balance without shifting onto the outer edge, then put it down. Stop for forefoot pain. 3 × 20 seconds each leg daily; rest 30 seconds. Single leg balance Illustrated video with synthetic narration. Play loads YouTube. [Open on YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9XVRIlMOzo) The video shows the movement. Follow the dose and precautions on this sheet. ## Exercise sheet The complete sheet is ready to print. For a shorter copy, select the activities to include. Customise the printed copy Move your toes without using your hands Ball under the arch and heel Gently gather a towel Wall calf stretch Lift the toes in turn Spread the toes Balance without rolling onto the edge 0 of 7 exercise cards included Select at least one item for a customised copy. Print exercise sheet / PDF Print selected exercises / PDF Clear selection The full web page remains available. Your selection is not saved or shared. Cycling and low-impact activities may still load the forefoot. Return to weight-bearing and sport follows the individual clinical plan. For children, an adult stays nearby. Use a clear surface, a stable support and secure band anchors; avoid small objects that could be swallowed. ## When to stop Stop exercising and contact your clinician for: - Acute or sudden pain during exercise - Significant swelling after exercises - Pain that progressively worsens over days - Fever or general malaise - Difficulty walking or using the limb after exercises - Any neurological symptoms (tingling, numbness, sudden weakness) - A red or hot joint, or inability to bear weight: seek prompt assessment; use emergency care if severe. Suitability depends on the individual medical assessment. Starting exercises without assessment can be dangerous. Sources - [AAOS — Foot and Ankle Conditioning Program](https://www.orthoinfo.org/recovery/foot-and-ankle-conditioning-program/) - [Royal Berkshire NHS — Freiberg's condition (April 2025)](https://www.royalberkshire.nhs.uk/media/h20pukxs/freibergs-condition_apr25.pdf) [Condition information](https://ortopediaevolutiva.com/en/conditions/freibergs-disease)[Book a visit](https://ortopediaevolutiva.com/en/locations#prenota) [Previous Köhler disease (active management)](https://ortopediaevolutiva.com/en/parents-kids/exercises/foot-ankle/kohler-exercises)[Next Iselin disease (active management)](https://ortopediaevolutiva.com/en/parents-kids/exercises/foot-ankle/iselin-exercises) --- Canonical: https://ortopediaevolutiva.com/en/parents-kids/exercises/foot-ankle/freiberg-exercises Le informazioni cliniche sono divulgative e non sostituiscono una valutazione medica diretta.