Metatarsalgia

METATARSALGIA

If you are experiencing pain or inflammation in the ball of your foot, you may have metatarsalgia. This condition is especially prevalent in physically active individuals as it may be caused by repeat impact on the ball of the foot while running and jumping.

Symptoms you may experience from this condition can include:

  • Sharp pain or dull ache just behind the toes on the ball of the foot.

  • Pain that worsens while walking, running, or jumping and improves when at rest.

  • Numbness or pain in the toes.

  • Pain in the feet that worsens when barefoot.

There is occasionally one singular cause for metatarsalgia, it is typically caused by several factors, including:

  • Improper foot alignment

  • Improper walking mechanics

  • Unusual foot shape

  • Hammertoe

  • Intense training and activity

  • Bunions

  • Excess weight

  • Tight shoes

  • Morton’s Neuroma

  • Stress fractures

Often pain in the foot can be healed with a day or two of rest, some ice, and over-the-counter pain medication. However, if your pain is severe or ongoing, it may be time to see a podiatrist. Other treatment options include modification of footwear or insoles and the use of metatarsal pads and arch supports.

Morton’s neuroma - A neuroma is a thickening of nerve tissue that can develop in various parts of the body creating nerve damage. Morton’s neuroma is the most common neuroma in the foot. It occurs at the base of the third and fourth toes.

  • If you have Morton’s neuroma, you will likely experience the following symptoms:

    -Tingling

    -Burning

    -Numbness

    -Pain

    -A feeling that something is inside the ball of the foot

    The symptoms begin gradually and occur only occasionally at first. This generally happens when one is wearing narrow-toed shoes or performing certain aggravating activities. The symptoms may go away temporarily by massaging the foot or by avoiding activities that bring on the pain. However, over time, the symptoms progressively worsen and may persist for several days or weeks at a time. The symptoms become more intense as the neuroma grows in size and the nerve damage becomes more permanent.One clearly distinctive risk factor is wearing shoes that have a tapered toe box, or high-heeled shoes that cause the toes to be forced into the toe box. People with certain foot deformities such as bunions, hammertoes or flatfeet, are also at high risk for developing a neuroma; as are those who participate in activities that require a repetitive irritation to the ball of the foot, such as running or racquet sports.

    It’s best to consult your doctor in the early stages of development as early diagnosis greatly lessens the need for invasive treatments and potential surgery.

Your best life is just a step away.