Sharp pain in the balls of your feet is an indication of Metatarsalgia, a foot ailment that involves inflammation to the nerves . This type of condition is common among athletes involved in high-impact sports such as running, basketball, tennis, etc., as well as women who frequently wear high-heeled shoes.
Symptoms of Metatarsalgia
A person suffering from metatarsal pain experiences sharp pain in the area of the sole directly behind the toes, more commonly known as the balls of our feet. This pain can sharp, dull, or burning, and is commonly felt near the big toe, or around the middle toes. These are the most frequent symptoms associated with metatarsalgia:
- A feeling as if walking on pebbles
- Stinging or numbness of the toes
- The pain worsens when walking barefoot, especially on hard surfaces.
- The pain worsens when flexing the feet.
- An acute pain in the toe area
- The soreness gets exacerbated when you run, walk, or stand for long periods, and gets better after resting.
Metatarsalgia: Typical Causes
The metatarsal bones take the brunt of our weight when pushing-off while running or jumping, which can be the equivalent to several times your body weight. Among the many factors causing metatarsalgia are intense physical activities, irregular foot anatomy, excess weight, poorly fitting shoes, and everyday wear of high-heel shoes.
Potential Complications
If the symptoms of metatarsalgia are left untreated in a timely manner, this condition can deteriorate to more severe ailments such as loss of range of motion, injury to foot ligaments, toe problems, and chronic stiffness. In extreme cases, necrosis can develop and collapse the entire bone structure.
Metatarsal Pain Treatment Approach
Treating metatarsalgia usually does not require extreme measures. The most recommended treatments for metatarsalgia are:
Get rest - Avoid putting unneeded pressure on your feet by resting. In short time you may practice low-impact activities such as swimming, rowing, or cycling.
Use Ice - Use ice packs on the area of pain for 15 to 20 minutes at a time, several times a day.
Wear proper footwear - Shoes need to fit properly and be of the suitable for the type of activity that you plan to get involved in.
Wear orthotic arch supports - The use of suitable orthotics can provide the needed sustainment to reduce pressure on the ball-of-foot area.
Wearing orthotic arch supports can be an essential part of most treatments for metatarsalgia. Wearing metatarsal pads can also help to alleviate the pressure around the metatarsal area.
Most of the cases concerning metatarsalgia do not require medical attention. It is common for our feet to ache after a long day of standing or working out. Talk to your doctor if the pain or burning sensation if the metatarsalgia does not improve after changing your activities and wearing orthotic arch supports.
Having metatarsal pain can be an unpleasant experience, but by taking the proper care of your feet with the treatment options recommended above you can return to your normal activities in a short amount of time.
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