Metatarsalgia is often caused by wearing shoes with thin soles and high heels. This puts extra pressure on the bones in the ball of the foot. Standing or walking on a hard surface for long periods also puts added pressure on the bones, causing pain.
- The pain can occur under any of the five metatarsal bones.
- Bent or twisted toes and bunions can make the problem worse.
- Being overweight.
- Sometimes high arches or arthritis can also cause metatarsalgia.
Symptoms of Metatarsalgia
The most common symptom of metatarsalgia is pain in the ball of the foot. It may feel as if you have a stone in your shoe. The ball of the foot may also become red and inflamed, and a callus may form under the end of the metatarsal bone.
Treatment of Metatarsalgia
In most cases, wearing low-heeled, well-cushioned shoes and filing down the callus will relieve the pain. Your doctor may recommend special insoles and even surgery.
This information is intended to explain the treatment and for general purposes only. Specific questions or concerns should always be directed to your doctor, who can explain possible risks or side effects. Your physician can explain if this treatment is appropriate for you.
Source – WebMD and Wikipedia
