How To Treat Metatarsalgia

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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