How To Treat Metatarsalgia

Metatarsalgia patients frequently experience more than one episode of the condition during their lifetime. Common symptoms of metatarsalgia include numbness or tingling in the foot, sharp pain when standing or walking, and the sensation of having something caught in the shoe. The disorder can be diagnosed through a physical exam, and most healthcare professionals recommend conservative treatments where possible. If all conservative treatments are unsuccessful, surgery to realign the metatarsal bones can be performed.

The following treatment methods may be helpful for patients with this condition.

What Is It, Exactly?

Metatarsalgia is the medical term for an ailment that causes pain in the ball of the foot. The condition is commonly classified as an overuse injury and particularly affects athletes and individuals who do lots of high-impact activities such as jumping and running. Being overweight or obese places excess force on the feet and can increase the risk of the disorder as well. The presence of hammertoe or other foot conditions may also increase the likelihood of developing metatarsalgia. Similarly, stress fractures and having a second toe longer than the big toe can produce extra foot strain that leads to this ailment. In addition, experts believe Morton's neuroma, a benign growth of tissue around the metatarsal heads, may trigger symptoms of metatarsalgia. Usually, the joints and tendons other than those of the big toe are most susceptible. The condition can be categorized as acute if it results from trauma, or chronic if it is due to repetitive strain.

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Rest The Foot

Rest is the most commonly recommended treatment for metatarsalgia. Doctors advise patients to rest their affected foot in the first place because overuse and repetitive strain injuries frequently trigger metatarsalgia. Both overuse and repetitive strain occur when individuals, especially athletes, engage in high-impact activity that stresses the foot for an excessive amount of time or places excessive weight on the foot. Prescribed rest can sometimes take the form of complete rest, which requires completely stopping sports or the activity that could be causing symptoms for a few weeks. If this is not possible, a reduction in training hours or cessation of the highest impact exercises may be advised.

Generally, doctors advise taking at least twenty-four hours of complete rest at the first sign of metatarsalgia, followed by the introduction of gentle, passive exercises for range of motion. Splints, bandages, and other supportive devices can be used to enhance rest and provide pain relief. Following a period of complete or nearly complete rest from activities, patients need to be very careful when returning to their sport or exercise regimen. The regimen should be restarted in short increments of time, stopping if any pain occurs. Ideally, a plan for returning to activity should be made in consultation with a physical therapist or other healthcare professional.

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Ice The Affected Area

Ice helps reduce inflammation, swelling, and pain from soft tissue injuries and is an appropriate treatment method for this condition. Doctors recommend applying ice to the affected area in cycles of twenty to thirty minutes each time. If needed, ice can be used up to five times a day, and it can be especially soothing immediately after exercise. Ice should always be used with a plastic bag or towel covering it and should not be applied directly to the skin due to the risk of burns. This is particularly important for patients with chronic conditions such as diabetes. If ice is not available, similar effects can be achieved with the use of cold packs or cooling gels with menthol. Cooling bandages are available and can be wrapped around the injured area to provide pain relief during rest or light exercise.

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Medications For Pain

A wide array of pain medications can be helpful in alleviating metatarsalgia symptoms. As with other overuse injuries, over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen, acetylsalicylic acid, and naproxen sodium can reduce pain and are particularly effective for early stages of the disorder. If necessary, higher doses are available with a prescription. Anti-inflammatories can cause serious side effects, including kidney and liver issues, so patients should use the lowest dose that effectively manages their pain. Adults should take a maximum daily dosage of no more than 1,200 milligrams of ibuprofen, 660 milligrams of naproxen, or 4,000 milligrams of acetylsalicylic acid. These medications should never be used for more than seven days without talking to a doctor, and any long-term use should be medically supervised. Some patients may obtain greater pain relief by combining several types of anti-inflammatory medicines, though it's crucial a doctor supervises this for appropriate combinations and dosages. It is especially important for a healthcare professional to be involved when medications are used in this manner, as doing so increases the risk of drug interactions and the severity of side effects.

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Proper Footwear

The use of proper footwear is essential for patients with any kind of foot pain as improper footwear can worsen symptoms of these conditions. Individuals should try to select shoes that provide substantial support for the arch of the foot and have a flexible sole. If possible, wearing high heels, spiked shoes, or cleats should be avoided since these shoe styles place excessive pressure on the ball of the foot and cause instability. Any heeled shoes should be lower than two inches at their maximum heel height. Proper footwear needs to be wide enough that the ball of the foot and toes are not pinched, and there should be enough room inside the shoe for the addition of supportive insoles or other cushioning. Patients who still experience pain after trying these suggestions may benefit from having custom shoes. These can be made through specialist shoe stores and at some podiatry and orthopedic offices.

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Metatarsal Pads And Arch Supports

Metatarsal pads and arch supports are simple devices that can provide cushioning for affected areas of the feet. These supports are typically made of memory foam, gel, or silicone, and fit inside the shoes. Many over-the-counter insoles and pads are available, and custom supports can be designed at specialist clinics for patients who need them. Metatarsal pads, also known as metatarsal domes, should be placed behind the ball of the foot so they can redistribute weight away from this painful area. The pads also help to separate the metatarsal bones. Arch supports act as shock absorbers and help by providing gentle cushioning and stability for the middle of the foot. Shoes with rocker soles often have built-in arch supports that can provide additional symptom relief.