Metatarsalgia is pain and inflammation in the ball of the foot, often around the area where the toes connect to the foot. Metatarsalgia can be caused by overuse due to the extra pressure placed on the ball of the foot from activities like running or jumping.
Poorly fitting shoes that are too tight across the ball of the foot or at the toes can push your toes into a cramped position. High heels add pressure and hold the toes in an unnaturally bent position.
If your foot has a high arch or longer second toe, an improperly fit shoe can put more pressure on the ball of the foot. Things like arthritis or stress fractures can also lead to metatarsalgia.
The pain can be due to pressure on the bones – the metatarsals, or enlargement/inflammation of the nerves (Morton’s neuroma or neuritis) between the metatarsals due to pressure and friction on them.
Signs and Symptoms
- Pain: Sharp or burning pain in the ball of the foot, especially when walking or standing. People often feel like they need to take off their shoes and rub their feet when walking.
- Numbness or Tingling: You might feel numbness or tingling in your toe(s).
- Swelling: The ball of your foot, toe, or toes might swell or feel tender.
How It Can Affect the Feet
- Difficulty Walking: The pain can make it hard to walk or stay on your feet for long periods.
- Changing Your Step: You might change how you walk to avoid the pain, which can lead to other foot or leg problems.
Treatments
- Rest: Give your foot time to heal by staying off it as much as possible.
- Ice: Apply ice to the painful area to reduce swelling. Apply the ice or an ice pack for 10 minutes, take it off for ten and apply it for ten more minutes.
- Proper Shoes: Wear shoes with a wide toe box and good arch support to reduce pressure on the ball of the foot. You should be able to stand and feel that there is no pressure on your toes. The sole of the shoe should have a gentle curve in it and be quite firm and difficult to bend.
- Inserts: Use padded shoe inserts or arch supports to help cushion the ball of your foot. But if they make your shoe tight or tighter, they will make your symptoms worse!
- See a Doctor: If the pain doesn’t go away, a doctor might suggest physical therapy or other treatments.
- See A Chiropodist: A Chiropodist will be able to determine exactly what the problem is that is causing your pain and suggest treatment choices for you that can include a change in footwear, custom foot orthotics, laser or red-light therapy as ways to relieve the pain and inflammation and prevent the condition from recurring.
At The Foot Advantage, we can determine the cause of your problem and identify treatment(s) that will help alleviate your pain, heal your inflammation, and get you back to your normal activities!