Symptoms you may experience from this condition can include:
- Sharp pain or dull ache just behind the toes on the ball of the foot.
- Pain that worsens while walking, running or jumping and improves when at rest.
- Numbness or pain in the toes.
- Pain in the feet that worsens when barefoot.
There is often one primary cause for metatarsalgia, which can include:
- Tendonits of the flexor tendons which bend the toes toward the ground.
- Improper foot alignment
- Hammertoes
- Morton's Neuroma (a thickened, scarred nerve in the ball of the foot)
- Unusual foot shape
- Intense training and activity
- Bunions
- Excess weight
- Tight shoes
- Soft tissue masses / cysts
-
Stress fractures
Often pains in the foot can be resolved with a day or two of rest, some ice and over the counter pain medication. However, if your pain is severe or ongoing, it may be time to see a podiatrist. Other treatment options include modification of shoes or insoles, injections (steroid or other) use of pads and arch supports. Surgery may be needed in some cases when conservative measures fail.