What Is Metatarsalgia?

Is your quality of life being disrupted by pain in your feet? Does the discomfort not go away after sitting down? You may be suffering from metatarsalgia. This is an overuse condition where you feel pain in the ball of the foot, which happens due to inflammation.

What is the Cause of Metatarsalgia?

There are a number of reasons why you may be suffering from metatarsalgia. For example, if you are an athlete, you are going to be in a higher risk category from this condition. This is particularly true if you are interested in high impact activities or sports.

But there are a number of other reasons why you might develop metatarsalgia. For example, this could be because you have Morton’s Neuroma, foot deformities or a certain foot shape. If you are overweight, this could also be a reason that metatarsalgia has developed. This is all going to put extra stress on the foot.

What are the Symptoms of Metatarsalgia?

There are several symptoms that can indicate you are suffering from metatarsalgia. Namely, this is going to include pain and discomfort when you are walking or exercising. Normally, this pain will not subside when you rest. It can feel like a sharp and burning pain that starts in the ball of your foot. In addition, some people experience numbness and tingling that moves into the toes.

What is the Best Treatment for Metatarsalgia?

There are a number of treatments for metatarsalgia that might be able to alleviate your symptoms. A lot of them can be tried at home. For example, some people are going to benefit from rest and alleviating their affected foot. Ice packs can be a good way to reduce inflammation and discomfort too. You can also take anti-inflammatory medication for pain relief. If you like to exercise, it may be best to switch to some lower-impact sports and activities while you have metatarsalgia.

A foot specialist can make recommendations too. For example, they may suggest purchasing alternative footwear. In particular, it is going to be best to avoid any shoes that are tight, such as high heels. There are also metatarsal pads that can help to relieve some of the pressure you are experiencing.

If you have a severe case of metatarsalgia, you may require surgery. This is going to be a treatment that is able to realign the metatarsal bones. A foot specialist is going to be able to advise you on whether this is a treatment that you will need.