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Foot Problems

You are in Foot Problems > Deformities > Metatarsalgia. Featured topics include:
Amniotic Band Syndrome  •   Bunions  •   Claw Toe  •   Clubfoot  •   Dysplasia  •   Enchondroma  •   Flat Feet  •   Gordon Syndrome  •   Haglund's Deformity  •   Hallux Rigidis  •   Hallux Limitus  •   Hallux Varus  •   Hammertoes  •   Jackson Weiss Syndrome  •   Mallet Toes  •   Metatarsalgia  •   osteomyelitis  •   Overlapping, Underlapping Toes  •   Peroneal Tendon Dislocation/Dysfunction  •   Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction  •   Sesamoiditis  •   Spurs  •   Tarsal Coalition


Metatarsalgia

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Foot pain in the "ball of your foot," the area between your arch and the toes, is generally called metatarsalgia. The pain usually centers on one or more of the five bones (metatarsals) in this mid-portion of the foot.

Also known as "dropped metatarsal heads," metatarsalgia can cause abnormal weight distribution due to over pronation. Metatarsalgia causes one of metatarsal joints to become painful or inflamed. People often develop a callus under the affected joint.

Metatarsalgia can also be caused by arthritis, foot injury (sports, car accidents, repeated stress), hard surfaces (cement or tile floors) and specific footwear (rigid soled work boots). Inappropriate shoes will only aggravate the condition.

A simple change of shoes may solve the problem. In more severe cases, full-length custom-molded foot orthoses may need to be prescribed.


Arthritis is the number one cause of disability in America. It limits everyday dressing, climbing stairs, getting in and out of bed or walking - for about 7 million Americans.







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