Book an appointment
Telephone. 0207 412 8882
  • Home
  • Services
    • Podiatry
    • Foot and Ankle Surgery
    • Gait Analysis
    • Orthotics
  • Sports Injuries
    • Running Injuries
    • Golf Injuries
    • Football Injuries
    • Cycling Injuries
    • Dancing Injuries
  • Foot Problems
    • Bunions
    • Morton’s Neuroma
    • Heel Pain
    • Ingrown Toe Nail
    • Hammer Toe
    • View All
  • Foot Treatments
    • Bunion Treatment
    • Morton’s Neuroma
    • Heel Pain Treatment
    • Ingrown Toe Nail Removal
    • Hammer Toe Correction
    • View All
  • Your Visit
  • About Us
    • Team
    • Privacy Policy
  • Dubai
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
  • COVID-19

Metatarsalgia

What is Metatarsalgia?

Metatarsalgia is a broad term used to describe pain in the ball of your foot qhich can be due to a many problems related to joints, tendons, ligaments and or nerves. Metatarsalgia can be a very painful condition that limits walking and recreational activities as well as your choice of foot wear.

Causes of pain in ball of the foot & Metatarsalgia treatment:

Morton’s Neuroma:

Morton’s neuroma is a benign swelling and thickening of the nerve often affecting the ball of the 3rd and 4th toe causing a sharp shooting pain, burning and feeling of a lump.

Investigations usually include ultrasound to confirm size and location followed by injections or surgery if the guided injections fail.

Bursitis:

Bursitis is a swollen sack of bursa fluid that is naturally found between metatarsals. It often gets irritated and inflamed by tight fitting shoes, sports or thinning of the fat pad under the balls of the feet.

Joint Swelling:

Joint swelling often known as capsulitis or synovitis can be as a result of trauma, over use or systemic factor associated with disease.

After a detailed history we may request specialist investigations to diagnose the joint swelling, including X-rays, ultrasound and/or MRI followed by treatment with orthotics and injections.

Plantar Plate Tear:

Plantar plate tear is a ligament tear at the ball of the toe joint causing, swelling and a lump like feeling. If left untreated a plantar plate this can lead to floating and hammer toe deformity.

Specialised ultrasound or MRI Arthrogram is required to conform diagnosis, plantar plate tear often requires surgery if it is not treated immediately with splinting.

Hammer Toes:

Hammer toe can often cause pain in the ball of the foot due to the toes buckling.

Surgical straightening of the toes can be performed to correct the underlying cause.

Long Metatarsal:

A genetically long metatarsal can often cause forefoot imbalance and increased pressure resulting in joint pain and problems. Shortening of the metatarsal can resolve this problem.

Diagnosing Metatarsalgia:

It is important to accurately distinguish between the causes of Metatarsalgia and accurately diagnose the underlying cause.

A combination of X-rays, Ultrasound and MRI are used to diagnose Metatarsalgia the problem Early diagnosis and prevention can prevent surgical intervention.

Related treatments

Treating Ingrown Toenails

 

Patient information
downloads
Podogo Physio exercises
Podogo Preparing for surgery
Podogo What you need to bring
Podogo Patient information
Book an appointment
Our consultants

Testimonials

  • I’ve suffered with hip pain and numbness for most of the last decade and had tried everything from acupuncture to sports massage.

    ANNA PURSGLOVE
    Journalist & Editor
  • While skiing, this year, I suffered from bad knee pains and foot cramps. A specialist at the resort recommended a trip to PODOGO…

    DEEPAK JASSAL
  • I cannot recommend Dr Nazir and his team enough. They’re kind, supportive and with you every step of the way…

    KATE MCGEE

Read More

sever-disease
August 3, 2017

Key signs of Sever’s Disease (Heel Pain)

Key signs of Sever’s Disease (Heel Pain) Pain in heel – usually when weight bearing. Adolescents aged 7-14 years, especially those who are active in sports. Overview The calcaneal tendon (achilles tendon) is the strongest tendon in the body, and it connects both the gastrocnemius and soleus, known as the calf muscles, to the calcaneus […]

T89UFBiz
August 9, 2017

Why should you consult a professional podiatrist for your foot and ankle problems?

Why should you consult a professional podiatrist for your foot and ankle problems? When it comes to managing health problems associated with the feet, plenty of people choose to go to a general physician. However, in such cases a professional podiatrist is the specialist that is most trained and competent in assessing, diagnosing and treating […]

2
September 15, 2017

Pregnancy and your Feet

Pregnancy and your Feet Your feet are a very important part of your body that are often overlooked and neglected until problems arise. Women that have given birth are more likely to develop lower limb musculoskeletal problems than those who have never given birth. There is also good evidence documenting an increase in foot width, […]

Metatarsalgia

What is Metatarsalgia?

Metatarsalgia is a broad term used to describe pain in the ball of your foot qhich can be due to a many problems related to joints, tendons, ligaments and or nerves. Metatarsalgia can be a very painful condition that limits walking and recreational activities as well as your choice of foot wear.

Causes of pain in ball of the foot & Metatarsalgia treatment:

Morton’s Neuroma:

Morton’s neuroma is a benign swelling and thickening of the nerve often affecting the ball of the 3rd and 4th toe causing a sharp shooting pain, burning and feeling of a lump.

Investigations usually include ultrasound to confirm size and location followed by injections or surgery if the guided injections fail.

Bursitis:

Bursitis is a swollen sack of bursa fluid that is naturally found between metatarsals. It often gets irritated and inflamed by tight fitting shoes, sports or thinning of the fat pad under the balls of the feet.

Joint Swelling:

Joint swelling often known as capsulitis or synovitis can be as a result of trauma, over use or systemic factor associated with disease.

After a detailed history we may request specialist investigations to diagnose the joint swelling, including X-rays, ultrasound and/or MRI followed by treatment with orthotics and injections.

Plantar Plate Tear:

Plantar plate tear is a ligament tear at the ball of the toe joint causing, swelling and a lump like feeling. If left untreated a plantar plate this can lead to floating and hammer toe deformity.

Specialised ultrasound or MRI Arthrogram is required to conform diagnosis, plantar plate tear often requires surgery if it is not treated immediately with splinting.

Hammer Toes:

Hammer toe can often cause pain in the ball of the foot due to the toes buckling.

Surgical straightening of the toes can be performed to correct the underlying cause.

Long Metatarsal:

A genetically long metatarsal can often cause forefoot imbalance and increased pressure resulting in joint pain and problems. Shortening of the metatarsal can resolve this problem.

Diagnosing Metatarsalgia:

It is important to accurately distinguish between the causes of Metatarsalgia and accurately diagnose the underlying cause.

A combination of X-rays, Ultrasound and MRI are used to diagnose Metatarsalgia the problem Early diagnosis and prevention can prevent surgical intervention.

Related treatments

Treating Ingrown Toenails

 

Patient information
downloads
Podogo Physio exercises
Podogo Preparing for surgery
Podogo What you need to bring
Podogo Patient information
Book an appointment
Our consultants

Testimonials

  • I’ve suffered with hip pain and numbness for most of the last decade and had tried everything from acupuncture to sports massage.

    ANNA PURSGLOVE
    Journalist & Editor
  • While skiing, this year, I suffered from bad knee pains and foot cramps. A specialist at the resort recommended a trip to PODOGO…

    DEEPAK JASSAL
  • I cannot recommend Dr Nazir and his team enough. They’re kind, supportive and with you every step of the way…

    KATE MCGEE

Read More

sever-disease
August 3, 2017

Key signs of Sever’s Disease (Heel Pain)

Key signs of Sever’s Disease (Heel Pain) Pain in heel – usually when weight bearing. Adolescents aged 7-14 years, especially those who are active in sports. Overview The calcaneal tendon (achilles tendon) is the strongest tendon in the body, and it connects both the gastrocnemius and soleus, known as the calf muscles, to the calcaneus […]

T89UFBiz
August 9, 2017

Why should you consult a professional podiatrist for your foot and ankle problems?

Why should you consult a professional podiatrist for your foot and ankle problems? When it comes to managing health problems associated with the feet, plenty of people choose to go to a general physician. However, in such cases a professional podiatrist is the specialist that is most trained and competent in assessing, diagnosing and treating […]

2
September 15, 2017

Pregnancy and your Feet

Pregnancy and your Feet Your feet are a very important part of your body that are often overlooked and neglected until problems arise. Women that have given birth are more likely to develop lower limb musculoskeletal problems than those who have never given birth. There is also good evidence documenting an increase in foot width, […]

↑

back to top

Logo for Podogo, foot clinic in London.
© Podogo 2020. | 17 Harley Street, London, W1G 9QH. | Privacy Policy | Call Us: 020 7412 8882 | Email: admin@podogo.com
  • Home
  • Services
    ▼
    • Podiatry
    • Foot and Ankle Surgery
    • Gait Analysis
    • Orthotics
  • Sports Injuries
    ▼
    • Running Injuries
    • Golf Injuries
    • Football Injuries
    • Cycling Injuries
    • Dancing Injuries
  • Foot Problems
    ▼
    • Bunions
    • Morton’s Neuroma
    • Heel Pain
    • Ingrown Toe Nail
    • Hammer Toe
    • View All
  • Foot Treatments
    ▼
    • Bunion Treatment
    • Morton’s Neuroma
    • Heel Pain Treatment
    • Ingrown Toe Nail Removal
    • Hammer Toe Correction
    • View All
  • Your Visit
  • About Us
    ▼
    • Team
    • Privacy Policy
  • Dubai
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
  • COVID-19