Metatarsalgia
(Pain in Ball of Foot)
Pronounced: meta-tar-sal-jea
by Patricia Griffin Kellicker, BSN
Definition
Metatarsalgia 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.
Metatarsalgia
Copyright © Nucleus Medical Media, Inc.
Causes
Metatarsalgia can be caused by a number of conditions:
- Being overweight
- Wearing shoes that don’t fit well or high heels
- Stress fractures
- Bunions
- Arthritis
- Pinched nerves
- Problems with circulation
- Morton’s neuroma
Risk Factors
Factors that increase your chance of developing metatarsalgia include:
- Feet with high arches
- Feet with abnormally long bones
- Claw/Hammer toes
- High-impact sports
- Increased age
Claw Toes
Copyright © Nucleus Medical Media, Inc.
Symptoms
Symptoms of metatarsalgia include:
- Pain in the ball of the foot
- Numbness or tingling in toes or foot
- Pain when walking
- Toe pain
- Pain with movement
- Sharp pain
- Feeling like you are walking on pebbles
- Associated back or leg pain
- Weakness in the limb
Diagnosis
Your 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
Talk with your doctor about the best treatment plan for you. Treatment options include the following:
Rest
Rest is an important part of treatment. Elevate your foot on pillows and ice it to speed healing.
Orthotics
Your 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.
Medication
A 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.
Surgery
If 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 Exercise
If excessive weight is contributing to the foot pain, you may be asked to lose weight through diet and exercise.
Prevention
To help reduce your chance of getting metatarsalgia, take the following steps:
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Wear properly fitting shoes.
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.
Last reviewed May 2013 by John C. Keel, MD; Michael Woods, MD
Last Updated: 5/1/2013