Metatarsalgia refers to pain in the ball of the foot, typically beneath the metatarsal heads. This
area of the foot absorbs significant pressure during walking and running, particularly during the
push-off phase of gait.
When excessive load is placed on the forefoot, irritation of the soft tissues and joints may occur.
People with metatarsalgia may experience:
Symptoms may gradually increase with activity.
Metatarsalgia often develops due to excessive pressure beneath the forefoot.
Contributing factors may include:
At Absolute Footcare, forefoot pain including metatarsalgia is assessed through a gait and
biomechanical assessment.
This allows us to evaluate how pressure is distributed across the forefoot during walking and
identify areas of increased loading.
Treatment depends on the underlying cause identified during your assessment.
Possible treatments may include:
If you are experiencing persistent pain in the ball of your foot, the best first step is to arrange a
gait and biomechanical assessment.