Metatarsalgia
This series of educational material is a broad overview of foot problems, and not as detailed as an actual podiatrist visit. I recommend you to see a podiatrist for professional evaluation of your foot and ankle problems. This is for educational purposes only.
This material is from my own experiences seeing patients. Other podiatrists may have different recommendations. Each examination has nuances and details too small to mention in this type of presentation.
What is Metatarsalgia?
Metatarsalgia is a general term for pain under the bones of the forefoot, or pain under the ball of the foot. This condition occurs across one or more metatarsal heads under the ball of the foot
Causes
The most common cause of diffuse pain under the forefoot is too much pressure with not enough padding.
There are three main causes of this:
Decreased fat under the ball of the foot (the fat layer thins as people get older).
Shoes without padding under the forefoot (old shoes flattened over time, minimalist shoes, dress shoes, any other hard bottom shoe with no padding under the forefoot).
Exercises that place too much pressure under the forefoot. (running track, soccer, ballet, football, etc.) This can be due to intense prolonged activity or performing activity with inadequate padding under the forefoot.
Symptoms
Aching bruised feeling
Pain with weightbearing or pressure on the forefoot (walking, running, jumping, sports)
Treatment
Replace old worn flattened hard shoes with new shoes with softer sole.
Decrease physical activity that causes pain. Increase activity as tolerated.
Use a metatarsal offloading pad to take pressure off the forefoot (PICS)
Arch support to help spread out the pressure under the foot.
NSAIDs as needed