At IDEASTEP Orthotics, we understand how distracting and limiting foot discomfort can be, which is why we provide our clients with quick and easy ways to improve their lives. Taking care of one’s feet is not a high priority for many people. However, we often forget that our feet keep us mobile, provide support, and help us balance our body.
When problems with our feet go untreated for an extended period of time, or when a foot is unable to transfer weight appropriately, they begin to impact other parts of our body. Our ankles, knees, hips, and spinal cords are all part of this. With this in mind, consider how much damage these focal joints and bones could sustain as a result of improperly constructed foot. This might result in discomfort, persistent pain, or even excruciating agony.
Metatarsalgia is a common foot problem that we see at IDEASTEP Orthotics, and it is easily prevented and relieved by using one of our custom-made orthotics.
What exactly is metatarsalgia?
Metatarsalgia is a medical term derived from the word metatarsal. For those who are unfamiliar with the term, metatarsal refers to a part of the foot known colloquially as the ball-of-foot region. Metatarsalgia, in general, affects this part of the foot, although it is more closely seen to come from the area under the first three toes, known as the metatarsal head.
Metatarsalgia is a condition in which the metatarsal head experiences chronic pain and inflammation. While the ailment has a scary name, it is not life threatening and can be readily detected by a doctor and treated by using IDEASTEP’s orthotic solutions.
When people initially notice discomfort in the ball of their foot, they frequently do not understand it is coming from the metatarsal portion of their foot. This makes it more difficult to pinpoint and self-diagnose. However, when the pain worsens, the person experiencing it becomes aware of the hurting location and may have difficulty walking.
Because it feels like you’re walking on a stone, metatarsalgia is sometimes known as a stone bruise. This disorder immediately affects the bones and joints of the metatarsal head, making it difficult to perform routine tasks.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Metatarsalgia?
Metatarsalgia symptoms may vary from person to person, but the placement of the pain is one of the most obvious indicators. Metatarsalgia symptoms are tolerable for some persons and do not cause considerable agony. In fact, these folks frequently describe the sensation as if they were walking on little pebbles. Some persons with this illness, on the other hand, are not as lucky and may feel imprisoned by their agony. It may even feel like there is a “burning” feeling and discomfort in the ball of the foot. Metatarsalgia symptoms are generally comparable to the following:
A persistent ache that exists whether they are walking or not.
Tingling in the three toes above the metatarsal head
Sharp aches and pains that travel into their toes while walking, sprinting, or performing little chores
Pain that worsens when they apply pressure to the metatarsal region, but that disappears immediately when they take their weight off their feet.
Legs are generally weak.
Sleeping difficulties when the pain is at its worst
Walking and exercise are difficult.
Toe ache
While some of these Metatarsalgia symptoms may appear severe, they usually only reach this level after years of misuse. This means that patients who had metatarsal discomfort continued to live their normal lives without seeking treatment until the pain became severe.
What are the Symptoms of Metatarsalgia?
While trauma, genetics, and athleticism may induce Metatarsalgia in certain persons, the following are the most common causes:
Improper Footwear: At IDEASTEP Orthotics, we cannot emphasize enough how crucial it is for everyone to wear supportive and comfortable footwear. Failure to do so can result in a variety of painful conditions that have a significant impact on someone’s quality of life. If a person wears tight shoes or high heels all the time but does not use custom-made orthopedic Metatarsalgia insoles inside of them, they may be at risk of developing Metatarsalgia.
Excessive Exercise: While exercise is a good habit that health care professionals promote, there is such a thing as too much exercise. Some people like exercising so much that they unwittingly overstress their metatarsal region. Playing intensive sports, running, jumping, and other comparable activities provide high impact exercise. While exercise is encouraged, people should always wear appropriate footwear and Metatarsalgia insoles to ensure healthy feet.
Obesity: Many persons who have Metatarsalgia are overweight. This is due to their bodies’ inability to bear all of the extra weight and begin spreading enormous quantities of it to other places of the body, one of which being the metatarsal region. While the foot is designed to support weight, there is a limit to how much weight it can bear, and an overload can cause inflammation and tension in various areas of the foot, such as pain in the ball of the foot. Losing weight, doing modest exercises, and eating a nutritious diet are all recommended for anyone suffering from obesity and Metatarsalgia.
Foot Structure: Because not everyone is born with ideal feet, many people are forced to wear corrective Metatarsalgia orthotics from an early age. The anatomy of a person’s foot can make them more prone to Metatarsalgia in some situations. High arches, for example, can make a person more prone to this illness.
Age: As we get older, our supportive tissues thin out, causing a variety of problems. This element does not exempt our feet, which is why many of us get foot problems as we age. The cushion of tissue that shields our metatarsal bones thins out over time, which is why so many people in their forties and fifties have this problem.
Injury: One of the most obvious ways to get Metatarsalgia is to get hurt. If a person breaks their foot or fractures their toes in an accident, they may develop problems with their metatarsals. If this happens, the person experiencing discomfort will wind up using other areas of their foot to support their weight, which can lead to further problems.
Who Is Affected by Metatarsalgia and Why?
Metatarsalgia, like many other conditions, has no regard for age or gender and is typically observed in those who have overused the cushioning under their metatarsal region. While this illness is more common in older persons, it is also prevalent in younger people.
People who do not take care of their feet, particularly those who wear tight or ill-fitting shoes, are more likely to develop metatarsalgia. This ailment also targets people who already have problems including low or high arches, bunions, plantar fasciitis, calluses, and other related conditions.
How Is Metatarsalgia Diagnosis Obtained?
It is critical to schedule an appointment with a local podiatrist or health care professional in order to be diagnosed with Metatarsalgia. When a person is in front of their doctor, they can begin to express their discomfort. The patient will most likely answer a short sequence of questions, such as:
When did you first discover that you were in pain?
When is your discomfort the most intense? At its peak?
Have you ever had any other kinds of pain? In the heel, ankles, or legs, for example?
What kinds of duties do you conduct on a daily basis, and how does your foot discomfort affect them?
What kind of shoes do you wear every day? Do you think they’re a good fit for you?
Doctors will also ask their patients about their medical history and whether anyone in their family has had similar problems. Because genetics can often be the source of foot problems, they will need to know this information to help make a diagnosis.
In addition to this list, patients may be subjected to a battery of endurance tests. These tests, however, may not be necessary if the patient is in excruciating discomfort. Finally, the doctor may decide to take an x-ray of their patient’s foot, as this can be useful in making a final diagnosis.
What is the treatment for metatarsalgia?
There are dozens of ways to cure Metatarsalgia, the most of which can be done from the comfort of one’s own home. In extreme circumstances, doctors may offer steroid injections or foot surgery to their patients. A possible list of home-based remedies for Metatarsalgia is as follows:
It is recommended to apply ice in 15-minute increments multiple times a day for pain relief.
Changing footwear is one of the most effective treatments for Metatarsalgia, especially when combined with comfortable Metatarsalgia insoles.
When resting, apply as little pressure on the feet as feasible.
Instead of heels, wear flat shoes.
The application of custom-made orthopedic solutions.
Taking anti-inflammatories, such as ibuprofen, with the approval of your doctor or health care provider.
Why Are IDEASTEP’s Orthotic Solutions Ideal for Metatarsalgia Treatment?
We are glad to claim that our solutions are suitable for treating Metatarsalgia at IDEASTEP Orthotics. This is due to the fact that we manufacture cutting-edge insoles and arch supports that provide the necessary padding to keep Metatarsalgia symptoms at bay.
When a client contacts us and states that they have recently been diagnosed with Metatarsalgia and require custom-made orthopedics, we immediately send them our foam impression package. We are excited to provide the same type of treatment to our newest clients because we are familiar with our success in assisting our clients with their deformities and ailments.
After receiving your foam imprint, our professional team determines your needs and structural flaws. We can mold the optimal Metatarsalgia orthotic solution using innovative technology and lasers to reduce the pressure on their metatarsal region.
Furthermore, IDEASTEP Orthotics always employs materials of the highest quality. We will add more cushioning and support where necessary, allowing you to maintain your Metatarsalgia insoles in good condition for years to come.
Please contact IDEASTEP Orthotics.
Anyone experiencing pain in the ball of their foot should arrange an appointment with their podiatrist as soon as feasible. Because foot problems can spread throughout the body, it is critical to get the care and assistance you need to keep other problems from appearing.
Don’t put off buying a pair of our custom-made orthopedic insoles until you can’t walk any longer. This can lead to other problems. Simply browse our selection of insoles and place your order today. You can order cleat insoles, sandal inserts, shoe inserts for high heels up to 6 inches tall, custom work boot insoles, and insoles for your other favorite pairs of shoes. Our waterproof insoles alternatives allow you to wear them at any time and in any place. Our fully-washable insoles are salt, chlorine, bacterium, and fungus resistant, with a shock-absorbent, anti-microbial top cover. You will not find a more practical footwear alternative anywhere else!
Whether you want custom-made insoles to prevent future problems or to assist relieve present ones, IDEASTEP Orthotics can provide you with high-quality goods that can improve your quality of life. Contact us immediately to get yours.
