Metatarsalgia in Barranquilla, Colombia

What is metatarsalgia?

It is pain in the ball of the foot, under the metatarsal heads just before the toes. Many people describe it as walking on a pebble or feeling there is no padding.

What causes it?

High heels or poorly cushioned shoes, lots of running or jumping, excess weight, bunions and claw toes that change weight distribution, a high arch, a longer metatarsal, loss of fat padding with age, plantar plate injuries and Morton's neuroma.

What helps?

Shoes with a cushioned sole, wide toe box and low heel, insoles with a metatarsal pad placed behind the metatarsal heads to relieve pressure, calf stretching, temporarily reducing impact activities and losing weight if needed.

When should you see a doctor?

If pain persists more than a few weeks, there is swelling on top of the foot, a toe starts to drift or lift, or pain starts suddenly with exercise, which may indicate a stress fracture. If the cause is a deformity such as a bunion or claw toes, correcting it surgically usually resolves the metatarsalgia.

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