Metatarsalgia

Metatarsalgia is a medical condition marked by discomfort or pain and inflammation within the ball of the foot.

You may develop metatarsalgia from physical activities that cause impact on the feet such as running and jumping. This condition may also be the result of ill-fitting shoes.

Though metatarsalgia is generally not serious, the condition can sideline you. Luckily, there are many conservative treatments that work well to alleviate metatarsalgia symptoms. Proper footwear, in conjunction with shock-absorbing inserts or arch supports, could possibly all that is necessary to minimize or prevent future problems.

Symptoms may include one or all of the following:

• Tenderness at the sight of the plantar metatarsal padding
• Pain and discomfort may be experienced on the metatarsal
head's plantar surface. This can often be accompanied by a callus formation
• Pain and inflammation in the forefoot area
• This condition can also be accompanied by calluses and bunions
• Sharp, burning or aching pain
• Pain that gets progressively worse while standing, walking or running and improves with rest
• Shooting or sharp pain in your toes
• Numbness of the toes
• Pain experienced when flexing the feet
• Severe pain experienced when walking without shoes on, especially while walking on hard surfaces.

Symptoms may develop suddenly, especially if you have increased your normal amount of jumping, running or other high-impact activities, but symptoms will most often develop over time.

If you have any of these symptoms, call us at Southeast Podiatry to make an appointment with Dr. Brent Harwood and Dr. Bradford Egly.