| Acute ball-of-foot pain symptoms can indicate the | | | | range of motion, injury to foot ligaments, problems |
| presence of Metatarsalgia, a medical condition which | | | | with the toes, and chronic stiffness. In extreme |
| involves inflammation to the nerves attached to the | | | | cases, necrosis can develop and collapse the entire |
| metatarsal bones. Metatarsalgia is a common | | | | bone structure. |
| occurrence among runners, basketball players, tennis | | | | Metatarsal Foot Pain Treatment Approach |
| players, and other athletes involved in high-impact | | | | Healing metatarsal foot pain in most cases does not |
| sports. It is also frequent among women who wear | | | | require extreme measures. The most recommended |
| high-heel shoes for long periods at a time. | | | | treatments for metatarsal foot pain are: |
| Common Symptoms of Metatarsalgia | | | | Relax - Avoid stressing your feet by getting some |
| People afflicted by metatarsalgia experiences sharp | | | | rest. In short time you may participate in low-impact |
| pain in the area of the sole directly behind the toes, | | | | activities such as swimming, rowing, or cycling. |
| more commonly known as the balls of our feet. The | | | | Use Ice - Use ice packs on the area of pain for 15 to |
| footache can be acute, burning, or dull, and is most | | | | 20 minutes at a time, several times a day. |
| often felt near the big toe, though it can also occur | | | | Wear properly-fitting shoes - Shoes need to fit |
| under the middle toes. These are the most frequent | | | | properly and be of the suitable for the type of |
| symptoms related to metatarsal foot pain: | | | | activity that you plan to get involved in. |
| - An acute pain in the toe area | | | | Wear arch support inserts - The use of suitable arch |
| - Lack of sensation or tingling of the toes | | | | support inserts can provide the needed sustainment |
| - The pain gets worse when flexing the feet. | | | | to reduce pressure on the metatarsal area. |
| - The pain worsens when walking barefoot, | | | | Wearing arch support inserts can be an essential part |
| particularly on hard surfaces. | | | | of most treatments for metatarsal foot pain. |
| - The ache worsens when you run, walk, or stand | | | | Wearing metatarsal pads can also help to reduce the |
| for long periods, and improves after resting. | | | | pressure around the metatarsal area. |
| - A feeling like you’re walking on rocks | | | | In most cases involving metatarsal foot pain do not |
| Metatarsalgia: Typical Causes | | | | require medical treatment. It is normal for our feet to |
| The metatarsal bones take the brunt of our weight | | | | experience pain after a long day of standing or |
| when pushing-off while running or jumping, which can | | | | intense physical activity. Consult a physician if the pain |
| be the equivalent to several times your body weight. | | | | or burning sensation if the metatarsal foot pain does |
| Among the frequent causes of metatarsal foot pain | | | | not improve after altering your activities and wearing |
| are extreme sports training, irregular foot anatomy, | | | | arch support inserts. |
| being overweight, improper footwear, and frequent | | | | Having pain in the metatarsals can be an unpleasant |
| wearing of high-heel shoes. | | | | experience, but by taking the proper care of your |
| Possible Complications | | | | feet with the treatment options recommended |
| If the symptoms of metatarsal foot pain are not | | | | above you can return to your normal activities in a |
| treated in a timely manner, this condition can | | | | short amount of time. |
| deteriorate to more severe ailments such as loss of | | | | |