Metatarsalgia – Does the Ball of your Foot Hurt?

Metatarsal Joint Pain

Does the ball of your foot hurt frequently when you walk around? Well, this condition is referred to as metatarsalgia, which is a general term for foot pain. It likely stemmed from athletic activities such as basketball or soccer, or perhaps from the overuse of your foot. The name metatarsalgia comes from the pain associated with the metatarsal joints, five in total for each of your digits. When you lean forward, you apply pressure to the joints, hence the strain can cause pain afterwards. Always be mindful of the pressure distribution on your foot.

Steps to Take in Managing Metatarsalgia

To manage metatarsalgia, there are many ways to do so at home. Remember, many treatments start with your commitment to take action. Some examples may include:

• Resting
• Icing the area for about fifteen minutes
• Using an elastic wrap in the event of swelling
• Elevating your foot with a pillow or another item to reduce swelling
• Taking ibuprofen to relieve pain
• Wearing arch supports to avoid constant pressure on your metatarsal joints

Foot and Ankle Pain Due to Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

Your foot and ankle joints are prone to rheumatoid arthritis when they undergo pain. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a condition in which your body mistakenly attacks healthy cells, which can impact your joints, hence, giving you foot and ankle pain. The condition is considered an inflammatory disease because it inflames your joints.

Not much is known about the causes of rheumatoid arthritis except that there are risk factors which increase your likelihood of inheriting the condition. These risk factors include:

• Aging
• Smoking
• Obesity
• Sex: women are up to three times prone to get RA compared to men
• Genetics or inheritance: the human leukocyte antigen gene has notably worsened rheumatoid arthritis

What are the causes of random foot pain? 

The causes of foot pain can differ, depending on the part of your foot affected. Not wearing proper or supportive footwear largely factors in random foot pain. Wearing uncomfortable footwear and ill-fitted shoes will contribute to the foot pain. As mentioned above, chronic conditions can be an underlying cause for cases of random foot pain, and are not only limited to rheumatoid arthritis. There is also an obvious reason why you can experience pain and that is stress, strain, and overuse of your joints and feet.

Podiatry: Should Everyone Wear Orthotics?

Orthotics have been implemented to correct a variety of foot and joint-related conditions. Whether it is inherited or develops overtime, orthotics are needed for many people to correct the deformities. What we wear on our feet is important, and we need to understand the biomechanics behind it to make sure feet are not developing abnormal gaits and other conditions, which is why custom orthotics are extolled. Not only can they be used for foot conditions, but if you have any underlying diseases, foot orthoses may prevent you from developing more side effects because of that one disease. People who are diabetic often implement orthotics to prevent their condition from worsening. Orthotics is a favourable treatment option because some people are not comfortable with invasive procedures, such as surgery. People prefer a convenient and cheaper option to improve their arch support and chronic conditions. Orthotics will harm nobody—in fact, it will prevent further deformities from occurring. There is no reason orthotics or custom shoes should not be used in your daily life. So yes, everyone should wear orthotics to improve their gait, or to prevent deformities in the future. Investing in your shoes is critical to your health.

What is a remedy for random foot pain?

There are many remedies for treating foot pain. Some of them are more pleasant than others, but do work to varying degrees. Many treatments involve the use of orthoses with other practices. Here is a list of how you can treat foot pain:

• Wearing night splint
• Drawing a foot bath and using Epsom salt
• Buying arch supports or customized foot orthoses
• Applying pain-relieving medication to the affected area
• Performing exercises that can strengthen your muscles or relieve muscle pain

What is the most commonly treated foot pain?

Arthritis is the most common foot pain and is also treated often. Arthritis is the swelling or inflammation of a joint, which can cause foot pain. Usually it is common and is treated because your foot has thirty-three joints, and therefore, can affect any of them. This is why it is easier and more common to develop arthritis. Infections can also develop where bacteria can accumulate, also making it a common condition that is treated when associated with foot pain. An example of an infection is athlete’s foot.

Why do my feet feel like they are burning?

If you feel as though your feet are burning, then there is more to it than the exterior appearance. A burning sensation is associated with nerve damage which occurs in the legs. Diabetes commonly causes this condition, although other medical conditions may be the underlying factor. The nerve damage may cause misfiring and an overactive firing, which is why you may experience pain, despite your foot not being in pain. This is known as neuropathy.

Aside from neuropathy, inflammation, infections, and injuries can also result in a burning sensation. Overall, diseases and medical conditions are reasons a burning feeling is common, and therefore you should see a health expert to diagnose your condition, as there are many causes. Not seeking treatment as soon as possible can result in worse conditions.

If you are suffering from pain, or have difficulty walking due to Metatarsalgia, the best foot specialists in Burlington can help! Call us 289-245-6624 for an appointment.