Metatarsalgia

If you’ve got pain in the ball of your foot, especially beneath the joints, then you may be told you have metatarsalgia. Metatarsalgia isn’t a name for a specific condition, but instead is a general term that practitioners use, especially if pain is atypical and can’t be attributed to a specific condition like a plantar plate tear, neuroma or turf toe, for example. 

Despite being a broad term, metatarsalgia is very common – unsurprisingly because of the large amount of weight the joints at the ball of your foot take on. Every time you take a step and your other foot lifts off the ground, and your heel starts lifting off to take that next step – your forefoot is taking on your entire body weight. That’s a lot for any joint to handle – and is why we’ve got to be doing our best to always support our feet with the right footwear and take good care of them. We’re just one injury from having to suffer severe pain every time our foot hits the ground.

What causes metatarsalgia?

As metatarsalgia is a broad term, anything that overloads the ball of the foot – meaning exposes it to strain and excess pressure, may be a cause. This ranges from high heels to the physical exercise we do – to walking up stairs regularly as we spend more time on the balls of our feet doing this. It may also be related to our foot structure or function, like having a tight Achilles tendon, or from other foot problems like claw toes or a bunion.

If you suspect you have metatarsalgia, it’s important to see your podiatrist who can help identify the likely causes and create an effective treatment plan. Without this, you may fail to address the cause and suffer ongoing foot pain.

What does metatarsalgia feel like?

You may feel anything from a dull throbbing ache to sharp severe pains at the ball of your foot. Often the pain is localised to one (or more joints), which will be tender to touch, swollen, red, warm or bruised. You may also feel some burning or tingling if the nerves in the area have been affected. You’ll likely find it uncomfortable to walk, especially up stairs.

Treating metatarsalgia

To effectively treat metatarsalgia, you need to both let the damaged structures heal by offloading them effectively, and address the causes so that the problem doesn’t keep coming back. At Masterton Foot Clinic, we treat metatarsalgia effectively using treatments like custom foot orthotics, footwear changes,  foot mobilisation therapy, temporarily using specially-made pads or strapping, addressing muscle imbalances (weak/tight muscles), and more. 

Your treatment is accompanied by a carefully designed plan that considers your unique circumstances – like how much standing and walking you have to do at work. We stay with you every step of the way to help you get back to pain-free living.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is metatarsalgia a chronic condition?
Metatarsalgia can be acute or chronic, depending on the underlying cause and how it is managed. Acute cases may resolve with rest and conservative treatments, while chronic cases may require ongoing management.

Can metatarsalgia be prevented?
Metatarsalgia prevention strategies include wearing well-fitting and supportive shoes, using orthotics, avoiding high heels and narrow-toed shoes, maintaining a healthy weight, and addressing any biomechanical issues that contribute to the condition.

Do I need surgery for metatarsalgia?
Surgery is typically considered a last resort for metatarsalgia and is only recommended when conservative treatments fail to provide relief. Surgical options may involve realigning bones or removing damaged tissue.

Can metatarsalgia lead to other foot problems?
If left untreated, metatarsalgia can lead to other foot issues, such as calluses, corns, stress fractures, and changes in gait. These secondary problems can further exacerbate foot pain and discomfort.