Metatarsalgia-Metatarsalgia - Symptoms & causes - Mayo Clinic (2024)

Overview

Metatarsalgia (met-uh-tahr-SAL-juh) is a condition in which the ball of your foot becomes painful and inflamed. You might develop it if you participate in activities that involve running and jumping. There are other causes as well, including foot deformities and shoes that are too tight or too loose.

Although generally not serious, metatarsalgia can sideline you. Fortunately, at-home treatments, such as ice and rest, often relieve symptoms. Wearing proper footwear with shock-absorbing insoles or arch supports might prevent or minimize future problems with metatarsalgia.

Metatarsalgia-Metatarsalgia - Symptoms & causes - Mayo Clinic (1)

Metatarsalgia

Excess pressure on your forefoot can cause pain and inflammation in your metatarsals the long bones in the front of your feet, just below your toes.

Symptoms

Symptoms of metatarsalgia can include:

  • Sharp, aching or burning pain in the ball of your foot — the part of the sole just behind your toes
  • Pain that worsens when you stand, run, flex your feet or walk — especially barefoot on a hard surface — and improves when you rest
  • Sharp or shooting pain, numbness, or tingling in your toes
  • A feeling of having a pebble in your shoe

When to see a doctor

Not all foot problems need medical care. Sometimes your feet ache after a long day of standing or a punishing workout. But it's best not to ignore foot pain that lasts more than a few days. Talk to your doctor if you have a burning pain in the ball of your foot that doesn't improve after changing your shoes and modifying your activities.

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Causes

Sometimes a single factor can lead to metatarsalgia. More often, several factors are involved, including:

  • Intense training or activity. Distance runners are at risk of metatarsalgia, primarily because the front of the foot absorbs significant force when a person runs. But anyone who participates in a high-impact sport is at risk, especially if your shoes fit poorly or are worn.
  • Certain foot shapes. A high arch can put extra pressure on the metatarsals. So can having a second toe that's longer than the big toe, which causes more weight than normal to be shifted to the second metatarsal head.
  • Foot deformities. Wearing too-small shoes or high heels can cause your foot to be misshapen. A downward-curling toe (hammertoe) and swollen, painful bumps at the base of your big toes (bunions) can cause metatarsalgia.
  • Excess weight. Because most of your body weight transfers to your forefoot when you move, extra pounds mean more pressure on your metatarsals. Losing weight might reduce or eliminate symptoms.
  • Poorly fitting shoes. High heels, which transfer extra weight to the front of your foot, are a common cause of metatarsalgia in women. Shoes with a narrow toe box or athletic shoes that lack support and padding also can contribute to the problem.
  • Stress fractures. Small breaks in the metatarsals or toe bones can be painful and change the way you put weight on your foot.
  • Morton's neuroma. This noncancerous growth of fibrous tissue around a nerve usually occurs between the third and fourth metatarsal heads. It causes symptoms that are similar to metatarsalgia and can also contribute to metatarsal stress.

Risk factors

Almost anyone can develop metatarsalgia, but you're at higher risk if you:

  • Participate in high-impact sports that involve running and jumping
  • Wear high heels, shoes that don't fit properly or shoes with spikes, such as cleats
  • Are overweight or obese
  • Have other foot problems, including hammertoe and calluses on the bottom of your feet
  • Have inflammatory arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis or gout

Complications

Left untreated, metatarsalgia might lead to pain in other parts of the same or opposite foot and pain elsewhere in the body, such as the low back or hip, due to limping (altered gait) from foot pain.

Metatarsalgia-Metatarsalgia - Symptoms & causes - Mayo Clinic (2024)

FAQs

Metatarsalgia-Metatarsalgia - Symptoms & causes - Mayo Clinic? ›

Metatarsalgia (met-uh-tahr-SAL-juh) is a condition in which the ball

ball
The ball of the foot is the padded portion of the sole between the toes and the arch, underneath the heads of the metatarsal bones. Ball.
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Ball_(foot)
of your foot becomes painful and inflamed. You might develop it if you participate in activities that involve running and jumping. There are other causes as well, including foot deformities and shoes that are too tight or too loose.

What is the most common cause of metatarsalgia? ›

Metatarsalgia Risk Factors

Activities that involve running or jumping are most often to blame. While track and field runners are most at risk, other athletes, including tennis, football, baseball, and soccer players, often get forefoot injuries.

What is the fastest way to cure metatarsalgia? ›

Self care
  1. Rest. Protect your foot from further injury by not stressing it. ...
  2. Ice the affected area. Apply ice packs to the affected area for about 20 minutes at a time several times a day. ...
  3. Take an over-the-counter pain reliever. ...
  4. Wear proper shoes. ...
  5. Use metatarsal pads. ...
  6. Consider arch supports.

Is walking bad for metatarsalgia? ›

If possible, don't stand for too long or walk too much. Avoid wearing unsupportive footwear. Avoid walking in your stocking feet for long periods of time. With some basic measures, you should be able to treat metatarsalgia yourself and be on your way.

Does metatarsalgia ever heal? ›

While some mild cases of Metatarsalgia may go away on their own with proper rest and footwear adjustments, most cases require medical intervention. Without proper treatment, the condition can worsen and become chronic, leading to long-lasting pain and even changes in the foot's anatomy.

What deficiency causes metatarsalgia? ›

In the foot and ankle, stress fractures of the metatarsal bones and ankle may be seen in those with vitamin D deficiency, as well as generalized foot pain.

What aggravates metatarsalgia? ›

Excess weight. Because most of your body weight transfers to your forefoot when you move, extra pounds mean more pressure on your metatarsals. Losing weight might reduce or eliminate symptoms. Poorly fitting shoes.

What is the best exercise for metatarsalgia? ›

Balance exercises: Improving your balance can help reduce the stress on your metatarsals and prevent metatarsalgia. To do a balance exercise, stand on one foot and try to hold the position for 30 seconds. If you are having trouble, try using a chair or wall for balance. Repeat on the other foot.

What happens if metatarsalgia is left untreated? ›

Left untreated, metatarsalgia can lead to a further increase in pain but can also develop into a chronic condition. Other parts of the body will often compensate due to a change in walking from limping in an attempt to offload the painful forefoot.

What can a podiatrist do for metatarsalgia? ›

What would podiatry for metatarsalgia involve? The podiatrist would take a thorough and comprehensive medical and social history. They would then assess the joints and examine the area. If the pain is due to poor foot function It may be that you need to be referred for a Biomechanical assessment.

What happens if you ignore metatarsalgia? ›

What Will Happen If I Ignore My Symptoms? It's never safe to ignore foot pain. In the case of Metatarsalgia, ignoring your symptoms may lead to chronic, debilitating pain in the feet that can put you on the sidelines of life. Additionally, you may develop secondary conditions of ongoing pain in the hips, back and neck.

Should you massage metatarsalgia? ›

Massage: Massage therapy, focused on the muscles of the foot and calf, can help relax tight muscles, improve circulation, and reduce pain associated with metatarsalgia. 8. Ice: Applying ice packs to the affected area for 15-20 minutes several times a day can help reduce inflammation and relieve pain.

Can metatarsalgia be permanent? ›

Metatarsalgia (say "met-uh-tar-SAL-jee-uh") is pain in the ball of the foot. It sometimes spreads to the toes. The ball of the foot is the bottom of the foot, where the toes join the foot. While walking might be very painful, the pain is usually not a sign of a serious or permanent problem.

Why do I keep getting metatarsalgia? ›

The most frequent cause of metatarsalgia is participating in sports activities that put pressure on the metatarsal bones at the front of your foot. These activities often lead to overuse of the area. Running, for example, involves putting constant force on the ball of your foot.

Is metatarsalgia nerve damage? ›

The metatarsal bones are the ones that form the structure of your toes. When there is excessive pressure on these bones, a nerve in the area can become compressed, causing numbness, tingling, and pain with a condition called metatarsalgia.

How do you treat metatarsalgia naturally? ›

Effective remedies include essential oils, baking soda, coconut oil, Epsom salt, ginger, hot or cold compress, vitamins, sesame oil, and mustard seeds. Incorporating self-care practices such as wearing comfortable shoes and maintaining a healthy weight can also contribute to metatarsalgia relief.

Why won't my metatarsalgia go away? ›

It can take months for the pain to go away. If the ligaments around a joint are torn, or if a toe has started to slant toward the toe next to it, you may need surgery. Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety.

Is metatarsalgia a damaged nerve? ›

Damage to the nerves in the foot is a common cause of pain in the ball of the foot (metatarsalgia).

Is metatarsalgia an autoimmune disease? ›

This type of metatarsalgia is driven by autoimmune disorders, neurological disorders and conditions like gout. Iatrogenic Metatarsalgia: This type of metatarsalgia is caused by surgical correction for other pathologies that altered the biomechanics in the foot and caused metatarsalgia.

References

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