Patient Education: Diseases Conditions Treatments & Procedures
Metatarsalgia
Introduction
Metatarsalgia is general term for pain across the metatarsal heads (ball of the foot).
Pain is often described as a dull ache, burning sensation or a bruising. Metatarsalgia most often occurs as a result of faulty weight distribution on the forefoot. This can cause an inflammatory response, which then leads to pain.
There is no one cause of metatarsalgia. It may result from factors such as:
- Injury Disease (i.e. Arthritis)
- Flat, pronated feet
- High arched, rigid feet
- Poor foot mechanics
- Inappropriate/ill-fitting footwear
