Metatarsalgia

What Is Metatarsalgia?

Metatarsalgia is forefoot injury that describes pain and inflammation in the ball of the foot.

Who Is at Risk of Metatarsalgia?

Metatarsalgia is most common in athletes who participate in high-impact sports.

These include athletes who take part in running or jumping including field runners, tennis, football, cricket, and soccer players.

Sufferers of Metatarsalgia may also have an inflammatory condition such as bursitis often have diffuse forefoot and midfoot pain.

Some anatomical conditions may predispose individuals to forefoot problems. They include:
  • A high arch
  • A short first metatarsal bone or a long second metatarsal bone is often seen in people with Morton's toe; the normal forefoot balance is disturbed, resulting in the shift of an increased amount of weight to the second metatarsal.
  • Hammertoe deformity

Causes of Metatarsalgia

Injury during sports activities is most common. Other overuse injuries that result in the alteration in normal biomechanics and cause an abnormal weight distribution can also cause Metatarsalgia.


Persistent stress can lead to chronic irritation and inflammation of the bone covering and adjacent tissues, such as ligaments and tendons. The following factors can contribute to excessive localised pressure over the forefoot:

 

  • High level of activity
  • Prominent metatarsal heads
  • Hammertoe deformity
  • Hypermobile first foot bone
  • Tight Achilles tendon
  • Excessive pronation (side-to-side movement of the foot when walking or running)
  • Ill-fitting footwear

 

Any or all of the above musculoskeletal problems may contribute to forefoot trauma.

Symptoms of Metatarsalgia

The primary symptom of Metatarsalgia is pain at the end of one or more of the metatarsal bones.

The pain is typically aggravated when walking or running. Most often, the pain comes on over a period of several months, rather than suddenly.

Patients with a Morton's Neuroma can suffer symptoms of Metatarsalgia due to irritation, numbness and inflammation of a nerve at the site of pain.

How Is Metatarsalgia Diagnosed?

Various foot problems can cause symptoms similar to those of Metatarsalgia. To help pinpoint the source of your pain, the podiatrist will examine your foot while you stand and while you sit and ask about your lifestyle and activity level.

You might need an X-ray to identify or rule out a stress fracture or other foot problems. Ultrasound can help identify conditions such as bursitis or Morton neuroma that can be causing pain in the metatarsal region of the foot.

How Is Metatarsalgia Treated?

Conservative measures — such as resting, changing shoes or using a metatarsal pad might be all you need to relieve signs and symptoms of Metatarsalgia.

In rare cases, when conservative measures don't relieve your pain and your Metatarsalgia is complicated by foot conditions such as Hammertoe, surgery to realign the metatarsal bones might be an option.

Home Remedies for Metatarsalgia

To help ease your Metatarsalgia pain, try the following:

 

  • Prescription Same Day Custom Orthotic,
  • Shockwave Therapy
  • High Powered Laser
  • Rest to protect your foot from further injury by not stressing it. Avoid high impact sport for a while.
  • Ice the affected area for 20 minutes several times a day.
  • Take an over-the-counter pain reliever to reduce pain and inflammation.
  • Wear proper shoes and avoid too-tight or too-loose shoes. Limit high heels and wear appropriate shoes.
  • Use metatarsal pads placed in your shoes ahead of the metatarsal bone to help deflect stress from the painful area.

 

What if Metatarsalgia Is Untreated?

Untreated Metatarsalgia can lead to Hammertoe. In turn, untreated Metatarsalgia can cause you to walk abnormally and limp. Your body can compensate and begin to cause pain in other parts of the body, including the lower back and hip.
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