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Metatarsalgia

Metatarsalgia is a very common foot pain syndrome which is known to usually affect serious athletes and especially runners. Like many forms of foot discomfort, metatarsal pain can be the result of a structural disorder or injury, but is more often the direct result of a psychosomatic process.

What is Metatarsalgia?

The condition is characterized by pain in the ball of the foot and toes. There may be just pain or additional neurological symptoms, such as tingling and numbness, as well. Some patients endure pain constantly, while others have recurrent attacks which are often linked to athletic exertion and especially high impact activity. Pain may be generalized or localized to the toe joints or areas where the toes join into the foot. It is difficult to characterize a “typical” case of metatarsal pain, since the symptomology can vary greatly from individual to individual.

Metatarsal Pain Causes

Usually, the condition is thought to exist due to simple over exertion and abuse of the feet during performance sports. Doctors have many ideas how the joints can degenerate and create lasting pain. This is very similar to the same theories often applied mistakenly to the spine. Of course, in some cases, advanced degenerative changes can cause pain, as can obvious foot injury. Luckily, these circumstances typically respond well to appropriately designed treatment options and do not usually create lasting pain scenarios.

Many patients suffer from ischemia of the tarsal and metatarsal region as the actual source of symptoms. These people usually do not achieve a correct diagnosis, since their pain is commonly enacted by a psychosomatic process which is rarely identified for what it truly is… Most of these patients suffer through many unsuccessful treatments and some even endure unneeded surgery for their chronic foot pain. It is no surprise that these patients rarely find permanent relief, even through surgical interventions.

Metatarsalgia Advice

Metatarsal pain is a common version of PIPS which is often linked to anxiety or fear surrounding athletic performance or the general fear of exercise. Dr. Sarno has referred to this condition as physicophobia and many care providers have successfully utilized knowledge therapy to successfully treat the symptoms once and for all. Of course, I almost always recommend this therapy option, since there are no risks (unlike the drug based and surgically based treatments so common to most foot pain syndromes) and no costs…

If your chronic metatarsal pain has not responded to a variety of seemingly appropriate treatments, you owe it to yourself to try something new… Give knowledge therapy a chance. You will be glad you did!

Metatarsalgia to Back Pain Home 8/12/09