Metatarsalgia refers to denote pain in the ball of the foot. This is a common foot condition, that causes pain in one or more metatarsal heads. The condition often results from excessive pressure over a long period of time.

Metatarsalgia patients suffer from pain and inflammation in the padding below the toes. This area sustains the most pressure while you are standing and moving. There are small nerves between the metatarsal bones. If the head of one metatarsal presses against another, the small nerve may get caught between them and become inflamed. This causes metatarsalgia. Putting weight on the foot can cause the symptoms to worsen, because each step can make the metatarsal bones rub together, increasing nerve inflammation.

Metatarsalgia may cause burning or shooting pain, or a sharp ache, and the patient may even experience tingling or numbness in the toes. Pain may worsen on flexing the toes.

The symptoms of metatarsalgia develop gradually. But sometimes they may appear suddenly, when an increase in activity or exercise strains the feet, such as in jumping.



Several factors may contribute to metatarsalgia -


Improper footwear: Shoes that are not well designed for your sport or activity, shoes that are too tight around the toes, or high heels, all add pressure to the ball of the foot, forcing it into a tight space.

Shape of the foot and toes: A high arch or a second toe which is longer than the big toe can also increase pressure on the toes.

Being overweight: https://dzen.ru/ Excessive body weight can strain the foot.

Age: With age, the fat pads underneath the toes thin down, leading to metatarsalgia.

High impact activity: Any high impact sports or activity subject the feet to large amounts of force, increasing the risk of metatarsalgia.

Stress fractures: Stress fractures refer to small breaks in the toe bones that cause pain.

Stiff ankle: This can increase pressure to the toes or metatarsal bones.

Medical conditions: Medical conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, or gout can cause metatarsalgia

Morton's neuroma: The area between the third and fourth toe may be affected as a result of thickening of the tissues around the nerves leading to the toes.

Sesamoiditis: This is a condition in which there is inflammation or break in the pulley-like bones that are connected to tendons instead of other bones. It is common in people who regularly engage in high physical activity, like runners.

Freiberg disease: A part of the metatarsal head loses structural integrity, causing the head of the second metatarsal and nearby joint to collapse.

Wearing well-designed, properly fitting shoes with a wide toe box and a rocker sole is good for metatarsalgia patients. A wide toe box allows the foot to spread out and the rocker sole reduces stress on the ball of the foot.

To relieve pressure to the ball of the foot, custom orthotics may be prescribed. These orthotics devices are designed with a metatarsal pad placed behind the ball of the foot. As a result, pressure is relieved and weight from the painful area is redistributed to more tolerant areas.








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