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Metatarsalgia 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

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

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.org/information-for-patients/common-conditions/metatarsalgia . 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

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This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.