Metatarsalgia
is pain in the ball of the foot.It is
usually felt in the sole of the foot and
sometimes
feel
like "walking on pebbles". Other people feel a more diffuse
vague
pain, ache or burning. Some people have trouble around only one or
two
toes,
others have it throughout one or both feet.
Anything
which puts extra stress on the front of the foot
can
cause metatarsalgia. Common examples are:
- Overweight
- Inappropriate
footwear
- High-arched "cavus" foot in which the bones in
the
front of the foot (metatarsals) point down into
the sole to an excessive
extent, or a long metatarsal bone which takes
extra pressure
- Claw
or hammer toes which press the metatarsals down towards
the ground
- Stiff
ankle which cannot be drawn up to right angles with
the leg but points the foot down to the
ground
- A
bunion or arthritis in the big toe can weaken the big toe
and throw extra stress onto the ball of the
foot.
- A
stretched or irritated nerve in the ball of the foot
(neuroma) or behind the ankle (tarsal tunnel
syndrome) can produce pain in the
ball
of the foot. Diabetes can also produce irritation of the small
nerves in
the foot
leading to a burning pain.
- Athletes or walkers occasionally get stress
fractures of the
metatarsal
bones.
- Arthritis, gout or inflammation of the joints in
the ball of
the foot can produce local
pain
Treatment of
Metatarsalgia
- Rest
- Ice
the affected area
- Painkillers
- Appropriate
footwear
- Silicon
Shock-absorbing insoles
- Metatarsal pads
encorporated into appropriate insoles
- Foot
orthotics. Rigid or flexible as designed by your Orthotic
specialist