Metatarsalgia

Metatarsalgia is a condition in which the ball of your foot becomes painful and inflamed. Excess pressure on your forefoot can cause pain and inflammation in your metatarsals, the long bones in the front of your feet, just below your toes.

Almost anyone can develop metatarsalgia, but you're at higher risk if you:

• Participate in high-impact sports that involve running, jumping and cycling
• Wear high heels or shoes that don't fit properly 
• Are overweight 
• Have other foot problems, including hammertoe and calluses on the bottom of your feet
• Have inflammatory arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis or gout

Metatarsalgia is common due to the heavy weight the ball of your foot bears with every step. When one foot is off the ground, the other supports your entire body weight. This is why it’s essential to always keep our feet supported with the right footwear, take good care of our feet in general, and treat any aches or niggles as they arise - before they get worse. For more information read: Metatarsalgia: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment on our Blog.