ObjectiveTo compare the dorsiflexion osteotomy (DO) and implant arthroplasty (IA) in terms of clinical and radiographic outcomes for patients with advaced Freiberg disease.MethodsA clinical data of 25 cases of Freiberg disease, who were admitted between July 2012 and July 2016 and met selection criteria, was retrospectively reviewed. According to the Smillie classification, all patients were classified as stage Ⅳ-Ⅴ. Among them, 13 cases were treated with DO (DO group) and 12 cases were treated with IA (IA group). No significant difference was found between the two groups in gender, age, side of the affected metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint, location, Smillie classification, disease duration, and preoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) score, range of motion of the affected MTP joints, and the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score (P>0.05). Total costs for index admissions were compared between the two groups. Clinical outcomes were evaluated in accordance with the VAS score, AOFAS score, and the range of motion of the affected MTP joints.ResultsAll incisions of the two groups healed by first intention. The follow-up time was 12-30 months (mean, 17 months) in DO group and 12-24 months (mean, 16 months) in IA group. The total cost of index admission was significantly higher in IA group than that n DO group (t=2.742, P=0.011). The AOFAS scores, VAS scores, and range of dorsiflexion and plantar flexion at last follow-up were significantly improved when compared with preoperative value in the two groups (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in all indexes between the two groups (P>0.05). X-ray film examination showed that the osteotomy healed within 8-12 weeks (mean, 9.5 weeks) after operation in DO group. None of the patients experienced internal fixator and implant related complications postoperatively.ConclusionDO and IA can provide significant improvement in pain and motion of the MTP joints for advanced Freiberg disease. But the DO may be the more economical method.