Metatarsalgia (met-uh-tahr-SAL-juh) is a condition in which the ball of your foot becomes painful and inflamed You might develop it if you participate in activities that involve running and jumping There are other causes as well, including foot deformities and shoes that are too tight or too looseMetatarsalgia (met-uh-tahr-SAL-juh) is a condition in which the ball of your foot becomes painful and inflamed You might develop it if you participate in activities that involve running and jumping There are other causes as well, including foot deformities and shoes that are too tight or too loose
Why does the ball of my foot hurt when walking?
Common causes of pain in the ball of your foot Pain in the ball of your foot is often caused by exercising too much or wearing shoes that are too tight Some people also have a foot shape that puts extra pressure on the ball of the foot – for example, if you have small curled-up toes (hammer toes) or high arches
How do you stop the ball of your foot from hurting?
Wearing comfortable shoes and maintaining a healthy weight can help prevent ball of foot pain If your metatarsalgia is a result of physical exercise, let your foot rest as much as possible until the pain subsides In all cases, seek the advice of a medical professional
How long does it take for metatarsalgia to go away?
Ball of the foot pain or Metatarsalgia generally takes 6-8 weeks to improve and early activity on the healing bone and joint can result in a setback in recovery Non-compliance can double the recovery time and can be very frustrating for patients
When should I see a doctor for ball of foot pain?
People should see a doctor if they experience severe, persistent, or worsening pain in their foot Sensations of numbness, tingling, or burning also warrant medical investigation
How do you fix metatarsalgia?
To help ease your metatarsalgia pain, try these tips: Rest Protect your foot from further injury by not stressing it Ice the affected area Take an over-the-counter pain reliever Wear proper shoes Use metatarsal pads Consider arch supports
Will stretching help metatarsalgia?
Metatarsalgia exercises A stretching regime is also a fundamental element of your recovery, helping to alleviate pain whilst strengthening key muscles which can help in preventing metatarsalgia The most important areas to focus on for recovery are the calf muscles, achilles tendons, ankles, and toes
Do I need to see a doctor for metatarsalgia?
How is metatarsalgia diagnosed? If your pain in the metatarsal area persists for a few days after resting your feet or changing your footwear, it’s best to see a doctor Your doctor will examine your foot and ask you to walk so they can observe your gait
Should I walk on the balls of my feet?
It is surprisingly energy efficient, a new study suggests It takes 53 percent more energy for humans to walk on the balls of their feet, and 83 percent more energy to toe-walk There’s no difference, energy-wise, between landing on our heels and landing on the balls of our feet when we run, the scientists say
How do you stretch the ball of your foot?
Grab your toes with one hand and pull them up toward your ankle until you feel a stretch along the bottom of your foot and in your heel cord Massage the arch of your foot with your other hand during the stretch Hold for 10 seconds Repeat 10 times on each foot
Is foot massage good for metatarsalgia?
Massage Can Reduce Metatarsalgia Blood flow can be key when trying to heal problems of our feet Massage techniques can help with metatarsalgia ( ball of foot pain) and aid in Morton’s Neuroma
How do I know if I have metatarsalgia?
Symptoms of metatarsalgia can include: Sharp, aching or burning pain in the ball of your foot — the part of the sole just behind your toes Pain that worsens when you stand, run, flex your feet or walk — especially barefoot on a hard surface — and improves when you rest
Is metatarsalgia a form of arthritis?
Metatarsalgia is a painful condition that affects the ball of the foot The metatarsals are bones that connect the toes to the ankles It can result from overuse or high-impact sports, arthritis, and wearing inappropriate footwear, such as high-heeled shoes
Can you pull a muscle in the ball of your foot?
You can pull any muscle in your body but this is the most common in feet, lower back, and neck You have many different tendons in your feet, all of which, with over-use can become pulled Pulled muscles can cause pain and make it difficult to walk
Does Epsom salt help metatarsalgia?
Low level, cold laser or ultrasound therapy to the metatarsal head area can decrease inflammation or irritation and significantly calm down the area Soaking your feet in hot, Epsom salt bath This simple home remedy can take some of the soreness out of the foot
How do I know if my foot pain is serious?
Seek immediate medical attention if you: Have severe pain or swelling Have an open wound or a wound that is oozing pus Have signs of infection, such as redness, warmth and tenderness in the affected area or you have a fever over 100 F (378 C) Are unable to walk or put weight on your foot
Can you walk with metatarsalgia?
Metatarsalgia typically begins as a mild discomfort which grows steadily and quickly to the point that a person may struggle to walk, stand, or run The key to treatment and management of this condition is to intervene quickly and to identify the actual cause or causes that led to the pain and irritation
Is there surgery for metatarsalgia?
Surgical Treatment Both the traditional and minimally invasive metatarsalgia surgical correction techniques are performed at the Coeur d’Alene Foot and Ankle Surgery Center The surgery consists of cutting the metatarsal bone just behind the toe to eliminate pressure on the ball of the foot
Does a podiatrist treat metatarsalgia?
Podiatrists often use metatarsal pads, not only for metatarsalgia but for diabetic ulcers, rheumatoid arthritis and pes planus deformities as well While a variety of forefoot pads exist, the effectiveness of these different pads in reducing forefoot pressures is inconsistent
Can metatarsalgia be reversed?
Specific complications depend on the procedure(s) that are performed but can include: Continued symptoms: It is often difficult to eliminate all of the pain because metatarsalgia is typically a long-term problem There is a certain amount of tissue damage that has already occurred, which can’t be reversed
How do metatarsal pads work?
Metatarsal support pads work by reducing the pressure on the ball of your foot by supporting the metatarsal bone just behind the ball of your foot By distributing some of the pressure to the shafts of the bones, the pads diminish the pressure on the balls of your feet
What is the difference between metatarsalgia and Morton’s neuroma?
Morton’s Neuroma often presents as numbness and tingling before becoming worse and developing into pain, while Metatarsalgia more often begins as a dull pain that develops into sharper pain In Morton’s Neuroma, you may be able to feel a pronounced mass between the third and fourth toes
Will a cortisone shot help metatarsalgia?
Conditions that cause inflammation of the forefoot may also benefit from a cortisone injection Cortisone is a powerful anti-inflammatory medication, and the injection allows a high concentration of this medication to be delivered directly to the area of the problem