Metatarsalgia(Pain in Ball of Foot)Pronounced: meta-tar-sal-jea
by
Patricia Griffin Kellicker, BSN DefinitionMetatarsalgia is a condition that causes pain and inflammation to the ball of your foot. You may also feel pain to the big toe or the three toes closest to the big toe.
CausesMetatarsalgia can be caused by a number of conditions:
Risk Factors TOPFactors that increase your chance of developing metatarsalgia include:
Symptoms TOPSymptoms of metatarsalgia include:
Diagnosis TOPYour doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done. You may be referred to a specialist. Images may need to be taken of your foot. This can be done with x-ray. Treatment TOPTalk with your doctor about the best treatment plan for you. Treatment options include the following: RestRest is an important part of treatment. Elevate your foot on pillows and ice it to speed healing. OrthoticsYour doctor may prescribe shoe inserts. They may help lessen pain and provide support. Your doctor may also recommend insoles. They may be shock absorbers, arch supporters, or special pads that protect your foot. MedicationA nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) may be advised to reduce pain and inflammation. A corticosteroid shot is sometimes injected into the foot to lessen pain. SurgeryIf there are foot problems that are causing the metatarsalgia, surgery may be recommended. The type of surgery depends upon what is causing the problem. Diet and ExerciseIf excessive weight is contributing to the foot pain, you may be asked to lose weight through diet and exercise. Prevention TOPTo help reduce your chance of getting metatarsalgia, take the following steps:
RESOURCES:American College of Foot & Ankle Orthopaedics & Medicine http://www.acfaom.org American Physical Therapy Association http://www.apta.org American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society http://www.aofas.org CANADIAN RESOURCES:The Canadian Orthopaedic Association http://www.coa-aco.org Canadian Orthopaedic Foundation http://www.canorth.org References:
Metatarsalgia. American College of Foot & Ankle Orthopaedics & Medicine website. Available at:
http://www.acfaom....
. Accessed November 5, 2008.
Metatarsalgia. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed. Updated June 4, 2010. Accessed May 1, 2013.
Pain in the ball of the foot (metatarsalgia). Merck Manuals website. Available at:
http://www.merck.com/mmhe/sec05/ch072/ch072b.html
. Updated December 2012. Accessed May 1, 2013.
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