Symptoms involving metatarsal pain are signs of a medical condition known as Metatarsalgia, and it involves inflammation to the nerves adjoining the metatarsal bones. This type of condition is common among athletes involved in high-impact sports such as running, basketball, tennis, etc., as well as women who frequently wear high-heeled shoes.

Metatarsalgia: Common Symptoms
A person suffering from ball of foot pain experiences sharp pain in one or both of the balls of their feet, the area right behind the toes The footache can be acute, burning, or dull, and is most often felt near the big toe, though it can also occur under the middle toes. These are the most recurrent symptoms linked with metatarsal pain:

  • Sharp pain in the toes
  • The ache gets exacerbated when you stand, walk, or run, and gets better after resting.
  • Stinging or numbness of the toes
  • The pain gets worse when dorsiflexing the feet.
  • The pain intensifies when walking barefoot, particularly on hard surfaces.
  • A feeling as if walking on pebbles

Metatarsalgia: Common Causes
The metatarsal bones take the brunt of our weight when pushing-off while running or jumping, which can be the equivalent to several times your body weight. Among the many factors causing metatarsal pain are intense sports activities, irregular foot anatomy, excess weight, improper footwear, and regular use of high-heel shoes.

Likely Complications
If the symptoms of metatarsal pain are left untreated in a timely manner, this condition can deteriorate to more severe ailments such as loss of range of motion, injury to foot ligaments, problems with the toes, and chronic stiffness. In extreme cases, necrosis can develop and collapse the entire bone structure.

Metatarsalgia Treatment Approach
Relieving metatarsal pain normally does not demand aggressive measures. The most recommended treatments for metatarsal pain are:

Get rest - Avoid putting unneeded pressure on your feet by resting. In short time you may participate in low-impact activities such as swimming, rowing, or cycling.

Apply Ice - Use ice packs on the area of pain for 15 to 20 minutes at a time, several times a day.

Wear properly-fitting shoes - Shoes need to fit properly and be of the appropriate for the type of activity that you plan to practice.

Wear arch support insoles – The use of appropriate orthotic insoles can provide the needed sustainment to reduce stress on the metatarsal area.

Wearing arch support insoles can be an essential part of most treatments for metatarsal pain. Wearing metatarsal pads can also help to alleviate the stress around the metatarsal area.

Most of the cases concerning metatarsal pain do not require medical care. It is not uncommon for our feet to ache after a long day of standing or intense physical activity. Consult a physician if the pain or burning sensation if the metatarsal pain does not improve after changing your activities and wearing arch support insoles.

Having metatarsalgia can be an unpleasant experience, but by taking the proper care of your feet with the treatment options recommended above you can return to your normal activities in a short amount of time.

Filed under: Health and Fitness

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