Metatarsalgia: Causes & Treatment

Metatarsalgia is a common cause of pain in the ball of the foot. In this video, Maryke discusses what causes the metatarsal heads to become painful and what treatments you may find useful. She also shares her own experience on how she got back to running with metatarsalgia.

👉 I also discuss insoles in the video, and you can get some here:

Chapters in this video:
00:00:00 The anatomy of metatarsalgia
00:02:40 Some causes of metatarsalgia
00:06:49 What does metatarsalgia feel like?
00:09:03 Recovery times for metatarsalgia
00:10:34 Treatment for metatarsalgia
00:17:49 Exercises for metatarsalgia
00:20:21 How we can help

👉You may also find these videos useful:

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👉Some links here are to places where you can buy something relevant to this video. If you do, we may get a small commission at no extra cost to you.

[SportsInjuryPhysio]

👉 I also discuss insoles in the video, and you can get some here:
If you buy anything via these links, we might get a small commission at no extra cost to you.

[magicaj]

I folded thick tissue to 3x2cm rectangle and used Scotch tape to stick it on my soft rubber slipper(below the metarsal head bone like what U said) and I felt immediate relief. So happy ☺️ I have been suffering from the issue for 5 months!

[wgow]

I've got to admit, she really nails it with this video. This is exactly what has been ailing me and I shall take all her advice

[Smelly]

I’ve taken my husband to 3 podiatrist’s and none of them helped my husband. Your information is by far the best I’ve experienced.
Thank you so much 😊

[ThomasTong-xz]

Actual useful information vs click bait websites. She’s living through it also, so her explanation is actually relatable to what someone having these issues is suffering through.

[ajarndave]

That was the most fantastic detailed, accurate analysis that I have watched. I too, moved to SE Asia, and I have lifted weights for many years, and it's beginning to take its toll. I have noted your symptons and your remedies, and I will follow your advice. I am disappointed that this isn't an overnight fix, but it's a big help to less pain. Thank you!

[ashhodson]

This was a great watch! My metatarsalgia was a result of long periods in climbing shoes. I wear the softest running shoes everywhere now and it's manageable now

[cumby]

I've had metatarsal pain for a couple of months now and I couldn't use any of my shoes. I bought the Crocs LiteRide Clog and use them in the house as slippers. They are not as good as the Skechers Women's Skechers GOwalk Hyper Burst Extreme Outlook Vegan Sneaker. The Skechers are amazing! It's like walking on air and well worth every penny. I've been wearing them for a couple of day now and my foot feels so much better. I hope this helps someone else who is in pain.

[tommy]

I searched everywhere and every video to accurately describe my foot condition and what I was experiencing. I knew it wasn't as simple as neuropathy. Because my pain was more direct between the toes you described. That for this video it was extremely helpful.

[stevenswann]

Another brilliant, helpful video. Timely for me, as I am dealing with another flare-up of this at the moment. I agree that soft cushioning and orthotics are the best treatments. One factor which causes me pain is shoes with insufficient forefoot width. I find any pressure on the side of the ball of foot can aggravate this condition. Thanks again for your helpful videos.

[johnnyosias]

Just the video I needed to understand and manage my ball of the foot pain and neuroma. What a blessing!

[MalachaYah]

After being diagnosed with artritis in the ball of one foot. I had this treatment. A small half an egg shaped foam attachment was stuck to my insoles. Yes it lifts the painful area away from painful contact with the ground (even through trainers).
I found a podcast years ago, of a health radio channel i can't recall the name sadly. Then i heard my condition described! The half egg insert, was said to aggravate the condition over time.

Wonder result.
He identified the issue as an over mobile big toe, causing inflammation.
Cut rectangles out of store bought shoe insoles, about 1"x2-3" in size, and place them in your shoes at the bend where your big toe joins the foot. Add an extra layer(s) if ball of the foot is still uncomfortable.
I did that and taped them inplace with medical fabric tape. What joy!!!! Pain vanished!!
I tried walking with them taped directly on my foot in my hard wood floor. A miracle!!!! No pain.
I proceed to put that rectangle of insole into all my footwear! :)

A little while later i went on a 3 day water and lemon only fast plus MSM powder.
I nolonger need the insoles now over a decade later. That's my journey. I hope this helps someone.

[johntuttle]

Excellent explanation of my foot problem and fix for "feels like a pebble under my foot". I thought the problem would go away on it's own, if I applied moisturizer to the callus and tried not to put weight on it; but after 4 months it did not go away. I then used metatarsalgia pads on my foot just below the white callus and after 3 months, I was pain free. I put the pad directly on my foot and removed every night before sleeping and washed my foot. Then re-apply the same pad the next morning before putting on my sox. I was able to use one pad for about 5 to 7 days before it was no long sticking to my foot. I also had to cut the pad in half as it was causing arch pain.
I highly recommend purchasing MySlippers all season slippers for walking inside your house. These slippers have gell and foam cushsion in the soles; and are the softest slippers I have ever used and they are less than half the price of others.

[topseyturvey]

I literally experienced this for the first time yesterday. I found my 20 year old crocs as I was watching the video and I will make a appointment with the podiatrist tomorrow. Thank you so much.

[lonr]

I just got this randomly in the morning after waking up one day

[essa]

this is the most informative and honest true explaining regarding this issue that i've seen so far .

[JohnRobbfl]

Thanks for making this video - I've had these same symptoms for months and using softer insoles made all the difference!!

[ml]

For once someone describes exactly the pain i endure. Your help is greatly appreciated. Right now i just took pain killers, laying in bed middle day because the pain is halfway up my legs. So many professionals, so many orthopedic sole, so many different shoes. You explain the pain so well, and touching exact areas under your foot shows you know exactly the pain. Thank you for your help. :)

[fisherchi]

I've got this between my 2nd and 3rd toes. It doesn't hurt, but feels uncomfortable, like my socks are bunched up, even without socks on. I think I have the early stages from what I've been seeing and reading. Thanks for the thorough explanation of what it is and how to treat it. Good luck with your injury recovery.

[willow]

Thank you SO much for posting this. Went to foot dr. Got diagnosed with this. But no explanation, No advice beyond "give it time" and had me get a USELESS orthodic. Your video, explanation, suggestions, etc. were spot on.