Metatarsalgia is one of the most frequent causes of pain in the human body. In Podomedic Centers we analyze your case through a detailed study of your forefoot.
What is metatarsalgia?
Metatarsalgia is a progressive pain, which may make it difficult to march. It is located on the heads of the metatarsians.
In adulthood, flatfoot can also be acquired, as over time, the foot arch can be flattened. In Podomédic we correct this dysfunction using custom templates.
What causes pain in the front of the foot?
Among the most frequent causes are:
- Overload of the forefoot. Primarily in cavus foot and "Clubfoot", as well as in people who endure for a long period of time excessive overload (body weight increase).
- Irregular weight distribution. The balance of forces between the entanglement of bones, muscles and tendons that form the forefoot is essential for its normal functioning. Their breakup generates metatarsalgia.
- Finger deformations. Hammertoe, Halux Valgus (bunion), tailor´s bunion.
- Inappropriate footwear (shoes with high heels and narrow toes). It can cause alteration in foot dynamics.
- Callosities of mechanical origin. They are produced as a result of pressure from metatarsal heads against the foot floor. This leads to an irrigation deficit in the area. This alteration is aggravated in older people who lose their adipose tissue to cushion the load.
How do you identify?
The key to diagnosis is, in addition to a complete clinical history, to undertake a thorough exploration to determine the trigger cause of alteration of the pain-producing structures.
Our Podomedic Centers have the latest technology in biomechanics that allows us to obtain a detailed study of your forefoot.
When should you consult us?
If you notice an inflammation of the articulations in the front of the foot accompanied by stiffness, pain and stinging.
When hyperkeratosic areas (callos) appear, especially in the support areas of the metatarsal heads.
What can we do in our Podomedic Centres for you?
The treatment must initially be conservative. The cause of pain must be determined. If the pain is due to incorrect footwear, it must be changed to a more suitable and anatomical one. In our centres, we advise the appropriate footwear for each case.
Subsequently, pressure must be unloaded from the area using templates to help redistribute the forefoot load areas.
Laser therapy yields excellent results in pain relief, in reducing inflammation, and in improving microcirculation within the foot. All this implies a lower healing time.
The patient only feels a light, soft and pleasant heat that results from the cellular reaction caused by bio-stimulation.
Surgical treatment is indicated in cases where the patient undergoes major structural alterations with pain and difficulty in deambulation.
Suggerstion
In addition to dealing with the causal effect of pain with our custom templates, some requirements need to be taken into account:
- Use a suitable footwear, even if not aesthetic, with sufficient space for foot and template.
- The template must be used all day long.
- Templates are a corrective, non-healative element. Prevention must be emphasised.
- Pain can be combated with analgesic-antiinflammatory medication of the AINS type, accompanied by a gastric protector.
- Application of currents, such as ultrasound, is also recommended.
