Spread Your Toes™ Series: Capsulitis- Ball of Foot Pain Conservative Care vs. Conventional Care

Want to treat your Ball of Foot Pain (Capsulitis) naturally, without surgery or orthotics? Natural Sports Podiatrist Dr. Ray McClanahan discusses natural, conservative and preventive treatments, and compares them to traditionally offered, conventional Podiatric treatments.

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[chriskenyon]

I’ve been experiencing this pain for a couple of months now, and your video is the first I could find that actually throughly explained what capsulitis is. Thank you!

[merc]

Best explanation of what I've been experiencing.  I'm an ultra runner averaging 40-60 miles per week with some very steep mountain running (Leadville, CO / Mont Blanc, France.)

I've just received my new orthotics and have introduced a metatarsal pad coupled with warm-up before my runs and icing after.  Basically started the treatment you outline the last few weeks, and guess what...pain is significantly reduced.  Additionally, I've added in toe strengthening exercises, focusing on keeping the 1st metatarsal planted and lifting the other four (and then doing the opposite) 3 x 10 reps on each foot.  This has totally impacted my gait and I am now able to spring more off my toes, allowing my hip flexors to open firing my glutes and hamstrings...everything is connected!  

So, thanks!!! Alex

[einarreitz]

Wow...I've been dealing with this for 4 months and have spent hours of my life at my Podiatrist and the orthotic specialist and haven't understood why nothing is helping..I'm 50 years old and have to wear steel toe boots at work..I come home and ice every night but by lunch time my feet are already aching and I can feel that the swelling nodule on my 2nd toe about a inch back into the ball start to hurt...You totally nailed my I can feel the capsulitis in several of my Metartsal joints...I can also see my toes as I'm sitting here barefooted that they are so tight together from wearing steel toe boots that this has to be the problem all along...God I hope I can get this problem behind me now since I know what's causing can't thank you enough for making this video! Einar

[m.fesler]

Amazing explanation. Mine is beyond repair. I have 3 pairs of $400 orthotics for my walking shoes which hollows out under the metatarsal so it doesn't press on it. However I did find a brand of shoes that work for me amazingly well. They're Oofos. High supportive arch and built in metatarsal pad.

[jaiszinoun]

this is the best video I have seen on this injury! thank you

[steveable]

I've had this for 2 years now. After much research and 7 podiatrists they never considered my wearing of work boots for 20 years which is an elevated heel. I dont understand why podiatrists wont admit that work boots can cause this!

[miguelaliaga]

This was a very good explanation that even my podiatrist has not been able to articulate

[kathysafris]

Great video and information. I have had capulitis for 2 years and had 3 cortisone shots. No one has told me about heat, ice, or stretching but I have been wearing a Budin Toe Splint from the doc. I only wear memory foam flats now and no heels, of course. I used to walk 3-4 miles a day and now I'm down to 1/2 mile due to pain. I sure hope it gets better!!

[behzadder]

Thank you so much for your great explanation, it was so useful, i'm suffering from this problem about two years

[Splendid]

I LOVE YOU! God bless you man! You make it easy to understand!

[ilovefish]

This is so great even if you dont have issues to explain how footwear can work against you. Do you have a recommendation for which metarsal pads to use?

[davidhigginsuk]

Excellent video!

I'm certain you have accurately described and explained why I am experiencing pain under the 2nd toe of each foot.

I believe I may be partly to blame for this because I had orthotic heel inserts to assist with fallen arches and instead of removing the running insoles which have an elevated heel before fitting the orthotics each time I just placed them on top which may have resulted in this issue.

My GP has prescribed Naproxen to act as an anti-inflammatory drug which is helping initially but I will fit metatarsal pads as you suggest and recommend your site as you know what you are talking about.

Thanks!

😊

David Higgins

[raillery]

Hi, I'm living in Armenia now (originally from Utah) and I've got some serious pain at the base of my second toe. I'm torn between self-diagnosing as Morton's Neuroma, stress fracture, or Capsulitis. I'm leaning toward the latter. It has been aching for over a month and is exacerbated by exercise. But, the pain isn't in the ball of the foot, it's tender to the touch on either side of 2nd toe joint on top of foot with swelling around the area between 2nd and 3rd toes. The ball beneath 2nd joint has a bit of pain, but not nearly as much as top. I don't think it's Neuroma because it's on both sides of the toe joint. This morning, after playing ultimate frisbee last night, I can barely walk - limping a lot with a good bit of pain. I can't find a foot specialist here and will try to see one when I come home to the US in July, but for now - any insights for me from afar? Thanks!! -Rai

[ifasewafatooyin]

Omg! That was a Great Explanation! Thank you! 💛

[AndyObusek]

How do you feel about traditional Birkenstocks as a healthy shoe/sandal option? Thanks for the great video

[marym]

Do you recommend taping for capsulitis?

[jodyroper]

Will correct toes help with this or should you wait until the pain is gone before wearing the correct toes??

[tntmyth]

Will the Correct Toes device help metatarsalgia? Specifically capsulitis of the 2nd metatarsal like described in this video which seems to be exactly what I have. I developed this pain after I broke and sprained my big toe a catching myself from falling after tripping over a cord while barefoot few years ago. I landed on the big toe and found out later that day that it had broken. It seemed to be fine for several months after the break healed. However I later developed the capsulitis of the 2nd metatarsal while walking miles for exercise. I have tried Altra Torin and Hoka Clifton running shoes. Both help in their own way. The Altras help because they have the foot shape and zero drop which helps take pressure off the ball of the foot. The Hokas help because they have a rocker sole and good cushioning. I now wear the Hoka Cliftons most of the time because I can walk the furthest in them before feeling severe metatarsal pain. But I have not been able to rid myself completely of the metatarsalgia. It especially flares up the times when I rarely have to wear regular dress shoes or flip flops. If I do several miles like at Disney World or something, I am in for a lot of pain no matter the shoe. So I am wondering if Correct Toes would potentially help take some of the pressure off the 2nd metatarsal capsule and heal the foot.

[aniccadance]

I heeled my metatarsalgia wearing Altra shoes..I don't know why most trainers are narrow and heeled.

[terriliggett]

What shoes do you suggest for chronic pttd? My doctors are recommending Hokas, which have the toe spring. I would really like your advice. Thank you.