Metatarsalgia Treatment (forefoot)
Forefoot pain or Metatarsalgia describes pain in the front of the foot or into the toes. There are many different conditions that could be causing forefoot pain but it can often be quite debilitating and prevent you from enjoying your day-to-day activities. At our multiple MyoDynamic Clinic's, our healthcare professionals can provide you with the necessary care to alleviate your forefoot pain and prevent reoccurring injuries.
Treatment for Metatarsalgia
Custom Orthotics for Metatarsalgia
Custom Orthotics is our top recommendation for forefoot pain. Custom Orthotics are designed to unload the forefoot with added padding and/or a metatarsal pad to open up the joint space and prevent the painful symptoms of Morton's neuroma, capsulitis and osteoarthritis. By assisting with alignment, orthotics are also beneficial to prevent bunion/hallux valgus progression.
Orthopaedic Footwear Fitting
If you have forefoot pain, proper footwear can reduce pain and provide optimal support and security to help speed up the rehabilitation process. MyoDynamic Health experts will fit you with orthopaedic footwear with specific features that can help treat forefoot pain. Proper shoe fit, a wide or rounded toe box, adequate forefoot cushioning and forefoot rocker support are all important when treating forefoot injury.
Physiotherapy For Metatarsalgia
With Forefoot pain, personalized treatment plans by a physiotherapist are very helpful for achieving a successful recovery. A customized plan of exercises and rehabilitation techniques tailored to your needs to help you progress through recovery allowing you to regain strength, mobility, and flexibility. Regular check-ins with your physiotherapist are vital to track progress and adjust the treatment plan as needed.
Biomechanical and Gait Analysis With Pedorthist
Proper walking mechanics are critical to promote healing and prevent re-injury. During a gait analysis, a pedorthist will evaluate your walking style and suggest modifications to your footwear or custom orthotics to correct any issues that may be hindering your recovery. This service can also help prevent future injury, keeping you active and pain free.
Custom orthotics for forefoot injuries are dependent on the foot type as well as the specific area of injury. For Forefoot Pain, they often will include Arch support to better stabilize the foot, Metatarsal pad to correct and support the transverse arch, well-outs to decrease pressure on tender areas, and added cushioning for comfort and added shock absorption especially in the forefoot.
Metatarsalgia Conditions:
Morton’s Neuroma: Morton's neuroma occurs when there's a thickening of tissue around a nerve in your foot that's been irritated or damaged. In this case, the affected nerve is between the 3rd and 4th toes and can cause tingling, burning, numbness or shooting pain.
Capsulitis: Capsulitis is the swelling of the surrounding capsule of a joint and in the foot, it is most commonly seen in the 2nd toe. It is caused by too much pressure on the small bones under the ball of the foot and is often described as feeling like you are walking on a pebble or stone.
Bunions/Hallux Valgus: A bunion is a bony bump that forms on the joint at the base of the big toe. It is often associated with pain in the big toe joint as well as restricted movement. Many bunions will also be paired with lateral deviation of the big toe towards the lesser toes, which is called Hallux Valgus.
Osteoarthritis of the Big Toe Joint (Hallux): Osteoarthritis (OA) is also referred to as degenerative joint disease or "wear and tear" arthritis and is most commonly found in joints that are overused. One such joint is the "Big Toe'' joint in the foot. OA of the greater toe can be classified as Hallux Limitus or Hallux Rigidus, depending on the extent to which it limits proper movement of the toe. The Big Toe joint plays a very important role in proper walking and running mechanics and OA development in this joint can not only be very painful but can alter the way you walk.
