Sidelined by Foot Pain? It Could Be Metatarsalgia

Are you experiencing foot pain? Are you someone who does activities that require running and jumping? Though not always the cause, these activities could be causing metatarsalgia. This is a common foot condition that affects athletes and beginners alike. If you’re ready to get off the sidelines and back to your activities, read on to learn about this foot condition and what our team at Texas Spine and Sports Therapy Center can do to help you. 

What is Metatarsalgia?

Located within the ball and front of the foot are five long bones that are called the metatarsals. These bones lie right below the muscles that absorb tons of pressure every time your foot strikes the pavement. They run to the arches, so they can cause pain throughout the front section of the foot when irritated. If you’re showing signs of this, it could be metatarsalgia. 

Causes 

Metatarsalgia is a condition where the ball of the foot becomes inflamed and can present painful symptoms. While there are other causes, most patients develop this condition due to activities that involve running and jumping. Mayo Clinic lists other causes to be:

• Intense training or activity. Distance runners are at risk primarily because the front of the foot absorbs the brunt of the force when running. However, anyone who participates in high-impact sports is also at risk — especially if wearing ill-fitting shoes. 
• Certain foot shapes. Those with higher arches tend to experience more pressure on the metatarsals. Additionally, so can having a second toe that’s longer than the big toe as this results in more weight than normal to be shifted to the second metatarsal head. 
• Foot deformities. If you wear shoes that are too small, or shoes like high heels, your foot can become misshapen and result in metatarsalgia. 
• Excess weight. Since most of your body weight transfers to your forefoot when you move, extra weight means more pressure on the ball of the foot. Losing weight can often reduce or eliminate the symptoms of metatarsalgia in those who are overweight. 
• Stress fractures. Small breaks in the metatarsals or toe bones can be painful and change how weight shifts on your foot. 
• Morton’s neuroma. This noncancerous growth of fibrous tissue around a nerve usually occurs between the third and fourth metatarsal heads. It can cause symptoms that are similar to metatarsalgia. 

Risks

To sum it up, Mayo Clinic explains that while this condition can happen to anyone, you’re at a higher risk if you: participate in high-impact sports, wear high heels or ill-fitting shoes, are overweight, have other foot problems, and have conditions like inflammatory arthritis. 

Symptoms of Metatarsalgia 

The top symptoms of this condition are pain and irritation, however, they aren’t the only symptoms a person might have. Keep an eye out for the additional signs of metatarsalgia:

• Burning sensations across the ball of the foot of behind it
• Stabbing feelings that protrude into the middle of the arches
• Pain and irritation behind the toes and running down to their tips
• Inflammation in the second, third, or fourth toes specifically
• Pain that worsens with walking, standing, or other movement 

Treatment Options 

One of the best ways to treat this type of foot pain is by taking a break and staying off your feet. However, if you rest and still don’t find relief, it’s important that you see a doctor. Symptoms that don’t fade with rest could benefit from treatments like:

• Safe anti-inflammatory medications to reduce swelling in the area
• Adjust to your routine, including the addition of foot support pads if you have to stand on your feet for hours at time 
• Better running shoes and customized orthopedic inserts 
• Massage and other therapies that can relax tense muscles 
• In severe cases, surgery may be needed to treat the underlying cause of pain if it is persistent even after trying conservative treatment options 

If you don’t want to be sidelined by your pain, the best course of action is to seek immediate treatment once you begin feeling signs of foot pain. Taking a week off now rather than fighting it for a few months could better manage your metatarsalgia before it becomes chronic or severe. Across Austin, we are helping our patients learn how to run, walk, and move better so they can exercise without fear of recurring burning sensations in the foot. If your pain is already chronic, we can still help. Oftentimes, rest and a full range of treatments that can settle the nerves in the foot can help reduce or even stop your chronic pain symptoms. 

Make an Appointment with Texas Spine and Sports Therapy Center

Get off the sidelines today by seeking help with your metatarsalgia at Texas Spine and Sports Therapy Center. Proudly serving the Austin, Texas area — we are here for you. Call us today to learn more: (512)-806-0015.