Metatarsalgia: Causes and Treatment

Do you sometimes feel pain or burning near the toes of your ball of the foot when you walk or run? Does it feel like a pebble is stuck inside your shoe? This is actually a common condition that affects many people. This is especially common among those who play sports or work on their feet all day. Today we are talking about the condition that causes this, which is known as Metatarsalgia in medical science. Don't worry, this is something that can be controlled with simple remedies.

What exactly is Metatarsalgia?

Simply put, Metatarsalgia is pain and inflammation in the metatarsal bones at the front of your foot, where your toes meet. It usually doesn't come on suddenly, but develops gradually over months. The main cause is excessive pressure on this part of the foot over a long period of time.

But there is another condition that causes similar pain called Morton's Neuroma . There is a slight difference between the two.

What are the main symptoms of this?

The main symptom of metatarsalgia is pain in the area of ​​the ball of the foot near the toes. This pain can be felt in different ways.

• It can be a sharp, stabbing pain .
• Or it may feel like a nagging ache .
• Some people feel like they are burning .
• This pain increases a lot when walking or running .
• You may also experience numbness in the soles of your feet, or a feeling like there is a pebble in your soles .

Especially for athletes, this pain can spread not only to the front of the sole but also to the middle.

What are the causes of Metatarsalgia?

As we mentioned earlier, the main cause is the constant application of excessive pressure to the same area of ​​the sole. There are several factors that affect this. Let's look at them in a table.

How does a doctor diagnose this?

If you have pain like this, the best thing to do is see a doctor. The doctor will first examine your foot . He will look for any swelling in the area of ​​pain.

Then, an X-ray may be done to rule out other causes (such as a fracture). Sometimes a bone scan may be done to pinpoint the location of the swelling, or an ultrasound scan to look at the soft tissues. If the problem is still unclear, an MRI scan may be ordered to look more closely.

What are the treatments and remedies?

The good news is that Metatarsalgia can often be treated without surgery.

Things you can do at home

Your doctor will often advise you to do these simple things first:

• Rest: Stop running, jumping, or any activities that put pressure on your legs for a while.
• Keep your leg elevated: Whenever possible, keep your leg elevated, like a pillow.
• Apply ice: Apply ice to the painful area for 15-20 minutes several times a day. You can wrap a few ice cubes in a cloth and apply it. Or, freezing a water bottle and rolling it under the sole of your foot can also be very effective.
• Use shoe supports: Wear cushioned pads, arch supports, or doctor-recommended orthotics inside your shoes to provide comfort to your feet.
• Do light exercises: Do exercises that strengthen the soles and ankles and increase stretching.

Possible exercises for metatarsalgia

These exercises can reduce pain and swelling and increase leg strength and flexibility.

Stretching Exercises

1. Toe Pumps: Sit on the floor with your legs extended. Slowly curl your toes forward and toward you. Do about 20 repetitions until you feel a little loose. Do this two or three times.

2. Toe Flexor Stretches: Sit on a chair and place the affected leg on top of the other leg. Now, grab your toes and pull them towards your knee. Hold for 30 seconds until you feel a good stretch in your sole. Do this two or three times.

Strengthening Exercises

1. Toe Scrunches: Sit on a chair and place your feet on a towel on the floor. Now, using only your toes, roll the towel towards you. Do this 10-15 times.

2. Marble Pickup: Sit on a chair and scatter some marbles or similar small objects on the floor. Keep a cup nearby. Now pick up the marbles one by one using only your fingers and place them in the cup. Do this until you have picked them all up.

Medicines

For short-term pain relief, you can take painkillers (NSAIDs) such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen or naproxen , as directed by your doctor. In some cases, if the pain is caused by a pinched nerve, your doctor may also give you a nerve block injection with steroids.

How to prevent recurrence?

Once the pain subsides, it is very important to ensure that this condition does not recur.

• Wear the right shoes: This is the most important thing. Wear shoes that are well cushioned , have arch support , and absorb shock. Avoid high heels and narrow-toed shoes .
• Maintain a healthy weight: If you are overweight, losing weight can help reduce the pressure on your feet.
• Change the way you exercise: Don't exercise too much all at once. Increase the intensity gradually. Warm up well before exercising.
• Use orthotics: If your doctor recommends them, continue to use them.