Patient education: Metatarsalgia (The Basics)

What is metatarsalgia? — Metatarsalgia is a condition that causes pain in the ball of the foot. It happens when there is inflammation in the metatarsals, which are the foot bones closest to the toes (figure 1).

Different things can cause metatarsalgia. It can happen in people who run or do other activities that put a lot of pressure on the feet. It can also happen in people who wear tight-fitting shoes a lot or have certain foot problems.

What are the symptoms of metatarsalgia? — Metatarsalgia causes pain in the ball of the foot. The pain can also spread to the toes. The pain is usually worse when people run or do other activities that put pressure on their feet.

Will I need tests? — Probably not. Your doctor or nurse should be able to tell if you have metatarsalgia by learning about your symptoms and doing an exam. They might do an ultrasound or order an X-ray of your foot to make sure your symptoms are not caused by another condition.

How is metatarsalgia treated? — Treatment for metatarsalgia usually involves 1 or more of the following:

●Rest your foot – Give your foot a chance to heal by resting. But don't completely stop being active. You can do activities that put less pressure on your feet, such as swimming.

●Put ice on your foot when it hurts or after activities that cause pain – You can put a cold gel pack, bag of ice, or bag of frozen vegetables on the painful area every 1 to 2 hours, for 15 minutes each time. Put a thin towel between the ice (or other cold object) and your skin.

●Taking a pain-relieving medicine, such as acetaminophen (sample brand name: Tylenol), ibuprofen (sample brand names: Advil, Motrin), or naproxen (sample brand name: Aleve).

●Wear sturdy shoes and a metatarsal insert – Sneakers with a lot of cushion and good arch and heel support are best. Your doctor will also probably recommend that you put a padded insert called a "metatarsal pad" into your shoe.

●Wear arch supports or special shoe inserts called "orthotics" that are made to fit your foot

In most cases, these treatments help improve symptoms. But if your symptoms don't improve, your doctor might talk with you about other options. This might involve surgery to correct the position of your foot bones.

How long does metatarsalgia take to heal? — Metatarsalgia can take weeks to months to heal, depending on the cause and your symptoms.

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