What Is This? 2.

[Simona19]

Hi! I found out the answear to my question "WHAT IS THIS?"

I have posted :

I don't know what is this: Yesterdey evening I was cooking dinner and I experienced very, very strong sharp pain on the bottom of my right foot, one inch under my toes. It will last 20-40 seconds. Same thing happened today morning. The pain is so sharp that I need to scream. It's 10 times worst then a very bad tooth ache. It is realated to iron, magnesium or vitamin D deficiency? What is that?

It is Metatarsalgia- inflamation of the bones in feet. What?

Definition

Metatarsalgia is a general term used to denote a painful foot condition in the metatarsal region of the foot (the area just before the toes, more commonly referred to as the ball-of-the-foot). This is a common foot disorder that can affect the bones and joints at the ball-of-the-foot. Metatarsalgia (ball-of-foot-pain) is often located under the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th metatarsal heads, or more isolated at the first metatarsal head (near the big toe).

Cause

With this common foot condition, one or more of the metatarsal heads become painful and/or inflamed, usually due to excessive pressure over a long period of time. It is common to experience acute, recurrent, or chronic pain with metatarsalgia. Ball-of-foot pain is often caused from improper fitting footwear, most frequently by women�s dress shoes and other restrictive footwear. Footwear with a narrow toe box (toe area) forces the ball-of-foot area to be forced into a minimal amount of space. This can inhibit the walking process and lead to extreme discomfort in the forefoot.

Other factors can cause excessive pressure in the ball-of-foot area that can result in metatarsalgia. These include shoes with heels that are too high or participating in high impact activities without proper footwear and/or orthotics. Also as we get older, the fat pad in our foot tends to thin out, making us much more susceptible to pain in the ball-of-the-foot.

Treatment and Prevention

The first step in treating metatarsalgia is to determine the cause of the pain. If improper fitting footwear is the cause of the pain, the footwear must be changed. Footwear designed with a high, wide toe box (toe area) and a rocker sole is ideal for treating metatarsalgia. The high, wide toe box allows the foot to spread out while the rocker sole reduces stress on the ball-of-the-foot.

Causes of Metatarsalgia

The common causes and risk favtor's of Metatarsalgia include the following:

Muscle fatigue.

Avascular necrosis, sesamoiditis.

The foot frequently is injured during sports activities.

Vascular insufficiency.

Poor blood supply to the feet.

Tight toe extensors.

Interdigital neuroma.

Metatarsophalangeal synovitis.

Being overweight.

Neurological problem.

Some sign and symptoms related to Metatarsalgia are as follows:

Pain in the middle of the foot.

A feeling in your feet as if you're walking on pebbles or have a bruise from a stone.

Sharp or shooting pain in your toes.

Tingling/Numbness in toes.

Swelling.

Increased pain when you're walking barefoot, especially on a hard surface

Callousing

Here is list of the methods for treating Metatarsalgia:

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others) to help reduce pain and inflammation.

Wearing a more supportive shoe.

Applying an ice pack or package of frozen peas to the affected site several times during the first 24 hours can reduce inflammation and help relieve pain.

Rest.

Physical Therapy - Ultra sound/ Electrical Stimulation/ Paraffin/Deep Heat/Whirlpool.

Other products often recommended include gel metatarsal cushions and metatarsal bandages.When these products are used with proper footwear, you should experience significant relief.

If inflammation is present (synovitis), a local corticosteroid/anesthetic injection may be useful.

Surgery may be needed if conservative therapy is ineffective.

Today I'm having that pain avery 5-10 minutes. It is 10:00 PM and I'm so exhausted. This thing is just a cherry on top of my other health issues.

I can't wear high heals, I can't run or do heavy exercise because of a knee surgery. This days I have been spending my time laying down on couch, or in the bed between light cooking and cleaning. I don't understand why this happened to me. What's the reason?

[Wolicki]

I have that. It started after I broke my foot, 5th metatarsal, in Jan. My ortho prescribed "dancer's pads" in my shoe. Worked like a charm. No more pain. I was compensating and putting too much pressure on that side.

Hope yours gets better soon!

[Simona19]

I have that. It started after I broke my foot, 5th metatarsal, in Jan. My ortho prescribed "dancer's pads" in my shoe. Worked like a charm. No more pain. I was compensating and putting too much pressure on that side.

Hope yours gets better soon!

Now that you mention your surgery, I'm doing the same thing. I'm compensating and putting to much pressure on the right side becase my left foot is weaker. 5 years ago I broke a bone in the knee and my two tendons. Doctor took also the half of the meniscus.

I need to find an ortoped. doctor? "Super!?!" WOW!

It is a good thing that I know what is this awful pain from.

[Wolicki]

IT's fairly easy to recover. PT and being conscious of what you are doing. You'll be just fine. Keep a good attitude and it makes it easier

[ravenwoodglass]

I agree to find a PT, you can get a script for one from your doctor. The PT will help to strengthen areas you need strengthened and you will be able to stop the compensation that is causing this. Also see a podiatrist, a foot doctor, he will be able to give you an orthonic that will stop the pain. Mine was attached to the bottom of my shoes but that was a long time ago so they most likely have inserts that you can use now.

[mommida]

If your toes snap apart as you put weight onto your foot, it could be Morton's neuroma. This small benign tumor has 3 names, and I can olny remember the one that sounds the worse.

[Simona19]

I agree to find a PT, you can get a script for one from your doctor. The PT will help to strengthen areas you need strengthened and you will be able to stop the compensation that is causing this. Also see a podiatrist, a foot doctor, he will be able to give you an orthonic that will stop the pain. Mine was attached to the bottom of my shoes but that was a long time ago so they most likely have inserts that you can use now.

I took two tylenols yesterday, and put ice on the foot. I have the same pain today, but it seams to be milder (still every 10 minutes). I will see, if I be able to do something myself because to see a doctor I need to wait week or two for the appointment, and by that time I would end up at the Emergency room.

Thank you for your posts. They are very helpfull.

[ravenwoodglass]

I took two tylenols yesterday, and put ice on the foot. I have the same pain today, but it seams to be milder (still every 10 minutes). I will see, if I be able to do something myself because to see a doctor I need to wait week or two for the appointment, and by that time I would end up at the Emergency room.

Thank you for your posts. They are very helpfull.

If you call the office and describe what is going on, ask to speak to a nurse, you may be able to get the to give you are referral to a PT or podiatrist over the phone and just pick up the script.