Forefoot Pain (including Neuromas)
The term, metatarsalgia, is often used to describe pain in and around the balls of the feet. This term is not specific and can imply pain caused by many different pathologies, such as neuroma’s, inflamed nerves, stress fractures, damaged ligaments and inflamed joint capsules.
Your podiatrist can determine the actual cause of the metatarsalgia clinically or by referral for appropriate x-rays or ultrasound. Once a diagnosis is confirmed, the cause needs to be determined. The cause may be faulty biomechanics (i.e. poor foot and leg alignment), or specific trauma. Once this is determined then an appropriate treatment plan can be instigated.
