Metatarsalgia

Metatarsalgia: Metatarsalgia, also known as stone bruise, is a type of pain and inflammation that occurs in a part of the foot known as the metatarsal. It often occurs in the metatarsal heads - where the three middle toes meet the ball of the foot. It is a common problem which can affect the bones and joints of the metatarsals. A lot of physically active people suffer from this condition as it can be caused by high impact of the foot which is a product of running, jumping etc. Sometimes, the condition can be caused by badly-fitting footwear, or even an underlying medical condition. The severity of the pain can vary and may affect just one or two toes - sometimes the whole foot or even both feet might be affected. Metatarsalgia can worsen when weight is put on the foot, as may be the case when standing, walking, or running. Metatarsalgia can affect males and females of all ages, but is most common in middle aged females.

Although the condition is not considered as serious or life-threatening.  We retrospectively reviewed 32 consecutive patients with 42 osteotomies of the lesser metatarsal bones. The mean and median ages at the time of surgery were 49 and 54 years, respectively, with a minimum followup of 26 months. Thirty-one patients (97%) had relief of plantar pain. The mean American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society score was 82.4 points. We identified no transfer lesions. The median time to radiographic union was 10 weeks. Although time to bony union can be extended, the oblique sliding osteotomy facilitates intraoperative adjustment to provide the precise positioning critical to eliminating plantar pain.

Treatment for metatarsalgia: Metatarsalgia can be treated with simple methods such as rest and ice. Most treatment options are self-care methods. The treatment you will receive will be based on the cause of the metatarsalgia.For more serious cases, NSAIDs (Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), steroid injections, physical therapy, or foot surgery may help reduce pain and swelling and correct the underlying condition causing the metatarsalgia.

•           Using insole inserts to supports the correct position of the foot

•           Non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

•           Pain relief medication

•           Steroid injection, and

•           Surgery in severe cases