Metatarsalgia
Metatarsalgia feels as though you have a pebble in your shoe, with a sharp or dull aching pain in the ball of your foot. The ball of your foot refers to the area right under your toes which is composed of the metatarsal bones. After plantar fasciitis (heel pain), Metatarsalgia is generally the second most common foot complaint.
Causes
Metatarsalgia can be the result of multiple factors. Some of them may include:
- Running/Jumping/Walking on hard surfaces
- Poorly cushioned footwear
- Over-pronation
- Being on your feet for a long period of time
- Narrow footwear and/or high heels
- Bone/joint disorders such as arthritis
A lot of workers such as police officers and teachers suffer from this condition due to their job which requires them to be on their feet for extended periods of time. Additionally, while Metatarsalgia is used to describe the general pain in the metatarsal area, Morton’s Neuroma (below) is just one example of Metatarsalgia.
Symptoms
Symptoms are indicators of a problem and for Metatarsalgia, some of them may include:
- A painful (sharp or shooting) sensation in the ball of your foot
- A pain that worsens when wearing narrow shoes
- A pain that worsens with activity on hard surfaces
- A tingling sensation or painful numbness in the toes
- Callouses under the metatarsal bones
This condition may worsen over a period of time with extended periods of activity.
Treatment
For mild cases of metatarsalgia, a good rest and some ice should provide short-term relief. For anyone who’s on their feet for extended periods of time, such as police officers and teachers, orthotics and the proper footwear are highly effective long-term solutions.
- Custom orthotics work by supporting the body’s frame through the foot. This is done by realigning the ankle and lower legs in order to correct the motion of the foot. In the case of Metatarsalgia, Rite Gait’s handcrafted custom orthotics will be designed to separate the metatarsal bones and cushion the forefoot correctly. They will include a metatarsal pad which is designed to lift and support the forefoot to reduce pressure and increase space between the bones in order to help you become pain-free.
- The proper footwear is important in the treatment of Metatarsalgia. Specifically, the footwear must not compress the toes, have a well-cushioned sole and stabilize the metatarsal bones to reduce pressure and minimize friction.
At Rite Gait, our pedorthists will handcraft your custom orthotics and help you find the perfect footwear in order to treat Metatarsalgia. Additionally, if we don’t already carry the perfect footwear to suit your needs, we can make modifications using the onsite lab.
MILTON LOCATION
- 335 Main St E, Milton, ON L9T 1P5
- (905) 876-1095
- ritegait@gmail.com
- WEEKDAYS: 10 AM - 6 PM
SATURDAYS: 9:30 AM - 2:30 PM
SUNDAYS: Closed