Metatarsalgia

What is Metatarsalgia?

Metatarsalgia is characterised as mild to intense foot pain caused by the disruption of the metatarsus bones in the foot. The metatarses are the long bones in the foot which distributes the weight of a body when standing, walking, running, ect. The damage of one of the bones, or its disruption from its original position affects all of the bones and will result in dysfunction.

 

Causes include:

 

  • Bone abnormalities 
  • Diabetes 
  • Disruption of the posture of metatarsals 
  • Poor foot biomechanics 

What does Metatarsalgia feel like?

  • Symptoms: 

    • Mild to intense pain in the ball of the feet 
    • Pain grows in intensity with any physical activity such as walking and playing sports
    • Feeling uncomfortable when wearing socks and shoes

How can Metatarsalgia be managed?

  • Treatment: 

    • Podiatry 
    • Physiotherapy 
    • Oblique osteotomy 
    • Wearing semi-rigid orthotics 
    • Changing shoes, resting, using metatarsal pads 
    • Massage therapy
    • Chiropractic
    • Osteopathy