BALL OF THE FOOT PAIN
Metatarsalgia is the medical term for pain under the ball of the foot and is a common complaint. There are many possible causes for metatarsalgia, and diagnosis requires careful assessment and sometimes further investigation.
Ball of the Foot Pain
Metatarsalgia is the medical term for pain under the ball of the foot and is a common complaint. There are many possible causes for metatarsalgia, and diagnosis requires careful assessment and sometimes further investigation.
MORTON’S NEUROMA
Morton’s Neuroma (interdigital neuralgia) occurs when the interdigital nerve between the third and fourth toes (or sometimes between second and third) is trapped between the metatarsal bones and becomes inflamed. It is more common in women and inappropriate footwear has also been implicated as a causative factor. Symptoms are typically pain under the ball of the foot when weight-bearing in narrow shoes, like walking on a stone. Occasionally there is pain and numbness shooting into the affected toes. The diagnosis is usually made by careful examination and diagnostic tests. Many patients can be cured with the use of sensible footwear, insoles and in some cases a steroid injection (40–60% do gain benefit). An operation to excise or decompress a Morton’s neuroma is only advised after failure of conservative measures.
Other causes for metatarsalgia include inflammatory arthritis (e.g. Rheumatoid), metatarsal stress fracture, Freiberg’s disease, plantar plate rupture or mechanical overload (e.g. Pes cavus, bunion, hallux rigidus or previous surgery).
MORTON’S NEUROMA
Morton’s Neuroma (interdigital neuralgia) occurs when the interdigital nerve between the third and fourth toes (or sometimes between second and third) is trapped between the metatarsal bones and becomes inflamed.
It is more common in women and inappropriate footwear has also been implicated as a causative factor. Symptoms are typically pain under the ball of the foot when weight-bearing in narrow shoes, like walking on a stone. Occasionally there is pain and numbness shooting into the affected toes. The diagnosis is usually made by careful examination and diagnostic tests. Many patients can be cured with the use of sensible footwear, insoles and in some cases a steroid injection (40–60% do gain benefit). An operation to excise or decompress a Morton’s neuroma is only advised after failure of conservative measures.
Other causes for metatarsalgia include inflammatory arthritis (e.g. Rheumatoid), metatarsal stress fracture, Freiberg’s disease, plantar plate rupture or mechanical overload (e.g. Pes cavus, bunion, hallux rigidus or previous surgery).