Metatarsalgia is a kind of injury which cause inflammation and pain in the ball of the foot. It usually occurs as a result of over running or other high-impact sports, and wearing uncomfortable flat insoles or high heel shoes in the long time. Specifically, if shoes which are too tight and do not have enough space for toes to move freely .
In some cases, metatarsalgia can be a symptom of a more serious underlying condition like arthritis or diabetic .
If you feel the pain and swelling in your forefoot or in the ball of your foot. Then you may already develop metatarsalgia.
Metatarsalgia need a proper care and treatment because it can not go away on its own
Causes of Metatarsalgia
The causes of of metatarsalgia can be various which including
- Wearing the wrong type of shoes. Shoes are too tight with narrow toe boxes. Or shoes which are too loose, both are the problem. Because when the foot have no space to move, the bones of foot rub and press each other ,causing pain and deformities.
- Participating in physical activities that involve in a lot of running and jumping. The forefront bones of foot absorbs much extra pressure than their capacity, causing shock for bone frame. Specifically, when they don’t get enough support from comfortable and cushion pads.
- Some people are born with different foot shapes like high arch feet, flat feet or hammer toe feet. The abnormal shapes and deformity of bone shapes cause pain and metatarsalgia.
- Overweight is another reason for this condition. Your feet have to carry your weight of your body. More weight means more pressure on bones and cause problem
- Medical conditions like arthritis and diabetic are also other reasons for metatarsalgia.
Symptoms
People with metatarsalgia said they feel the pain, numbness or tingling in the toes. And sharp, aching pain and inflammation in the ball of the foot. In severe cases, they experience the feeling of shooting pain like walking on sharp cutting stones . Especially, when they walk with bare feet.
Metatarsalgia can be the result of long time wearing un-fitting shoes. But it also caused by sudden accidents as wrong landing position of athletes during exercising.
Treatments
Choosing good, quality shoes which fit with your feet is the first recommendation to treat this condition. Wearing a orthotic metatarsal pad shoes .Or having metatarsal pads insert in to shoes are important to fix this problem. Because this special orthotic methods will realign bone shape, help to release the pain and cushion the injured areas.
Wearing shock absorbing and cushioning material will help to minimize sudden impacts to the ball and whole your feet . Some shoes that have air cushioning or gel cushioning in the insole are the best preventative measures.
Losing weight is a simple method to reduce pain and inflammation in the foot. By reducing weight, pressure on the bone frame will be less . And obviously reduce much stress on foot, as results
Massage is a natural way to help relieve pressure and tension in your feet and leg. Massage will reduce the pain and discomfort and help blood circulate better.
Apply ice with ice compression pad or cool cream s on injured areas will make the pain less severe
People who have metatarsalgia due to medical conditions like arthritis and diabetic. Please contact with your doctor to have a better check for your specific condition
Cyclists with Metatarsalgia
Choosing good , high quality shoes is very important to avoid metatarsalgia for cyclists. Because the health of your feet plays important role for your happy ridings
Conclusion
Metatarsalgia can happen to all of us. But a correct size shoes with cushion pads will help us stay dry, comfortable. And it also keep us from many painful foot injuries, including metatarsalgia
Source: Wikipedia, Mayo clinic
Images :Wikimedia commons
