Is There A Cure For Metatarsalgia?

Metatarsalgia or forefoot pain is a common terminology that describes inflammation and/or pain feelings in the ball area of one’s foot. The problem is common among athletes or the ones involved in intensive physical activities.^[1] In most of the cases, doctors perceive it as symptom to highlight other health conditions instead of any particular disease.

Doctors opt to cure the problem of metatarsalgia based on following the major phases of the treatment. These include-

Initial metatarsalgia treatment consists of regular icing and applying a suitable pressure bandage. Even your doctor may recommend you to avoid putting any load on your feet at least for the initial 24 hours period. Once the respective duration completes, your doctor may start with passive motion ranges and various types of ultrasound treatment solutions. Usage of metatarsal pads and any other similar type of orthotic device may help you to give relief even during the initial phases of your treatment. During this time, your doctor may recommend you changing your footwear.^[2]

Rehabilitation procedure starts on the first day itself of your metatarsalgia with the prime objective to restore your normal body functions, strength and range of motion. In addition, your doctor recommends you wearing semi-rigid corrective devices in various supportive shoes to treat metatarsalgia. This is because; only supportive shoes or without any soft corrective device fails to provide adequate relief to your pain.^[3]

It is essential for you to avoid disrupting your metatarsalgia healing procedure. For this, you should perform both strengthening and stretching exercises with adequate care, while return to any high-level activity gradually and do so with proper caution to avoid any further injury. Your doctor may discourage you from doing any activity that may causes you pain.

Doctors prescribe you naproxen or ibuprofen i.e. non-steroidal type of anti-inflammatory drugs to provide a long-term solution.^[5]

In case of a callous, your doctor shaves it to give you relief on a temporary basis. However, it is essential to avoid bleeding due to excessive debridement and usage of acids with other chemicals. Other than shaving down of the callous, it is essential to determine its exact cause i.e. response towards the pressure.

In case an individual has acute symptoms on a short-term basis, it may be due to abnormal pronation of the ankle’s subtalar joints.^[6] For this, doctor will suggest you using special orthotic devices, as chronic symptoms have proved to give better response to any metatarsal bar, which you may include in your athletic or running shoe. Individuals with high arch and experience pain due to metatarsalgia respond in an improved way to any orthotic device. Especially, if you have Morton neuroma, you will expect to give good response to any rigid orthotic by simply using a suitable extension beneath the initial metatarsal bone.^[7]

Physical therapy treatment aims to restore your regular biomechanics and to give pressure relief in the respective symptomatic area. Therapy provides enough inflammation to resolve your pain by relieving the applied excessive pressure repeatedly. Once the athlete relieves the pain, he or she may start with isotonic, isometric and iso-kinetic exercises for strengthening. Moreover, you may switch to active exercises from passive ones once your inflammation goes away.^[8]

Therapists and other health experts recommend for alternative training and conditioning solutions during the complete healing period. For instance, a metatarsalgia patient may involve in swimming exercise to maintain the physical condition and at the same time, remains within the restricted weight-bearing healing phase.^[9]

Patients suffering from interdigital neuroma may receive benefits from a nerve blockage in combination with various long-time acting steroids. However, if you have metatarsalgia in its primary form, you may avail relatively less benefit from such injections.^[10]

Yes, you may get relief from the problem of metatarsalgia; regardless you experience minor or chronic pain. However, the treatment and cure depends on your extent of pain and other related aspects related to your metatarsalgia problem.

References:

Also Read:

• Stone Bruise or Metatarsalgia: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment
• Pain in the Ball of Foot or Metatarsalgia: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment
• How Do I Treat Metatarsalgia?
• Can Metatarsalgia Be Reversed?
• What Causes You To Have Metatarsalgia?
• What Is The Prognosis For Metatarsalgia?
• What Not To Eat When You Have Metatarsalgia?