Metatarsalgia (Ball of Foot Pain)

Metatarsalgia (Ball of Foot Pain) is a common complaint especially with women who wear fashion shoes with high heels. Pain in this area of the foot can also occur when wearing hard, flat shoes such as workboots.

Metatarsalgia symptoms

Metatarsalgia is often described as a burning sensation in the ball of the foot often combined with excess callous forming. The pain is worse when when wearing high heels or tight fashion shoes for a long periods of time. Sometimes a tingling sensation in the toe area is present (this condition is called Morton's Neuroma).

What causes Ball of Foot Pain?

Ball of Foot Pain (Metatarsalgia) occurs when the metatarsal bones (bones in the forefoot) lower and the surrounding ligaments in this area weaken. The entire forefoot structure can collapse, which leads to excess pressure and friction under the ball of the foot. The key reason for this problem is that when wearing heels most of your body weight is pushing into the forefoot area.

Treatment solutions for Metatarsalgia

For ladies' fashion shoes there's now a great new product on the New Zealand market called Footlogics Catwalk. Footlogics Catwalk insoles restore biomechanical balance by supporting the arch, as well as the metatarsal bones.

This means that your body weight is distributed more evenly over the entire foot instead of just on the forefoot. In turn, Catwalk insoles prevent excessive pressure and friction in the ball of the foot. As a result there's a reduction of pain and the associated burning sensation - especially with longer periods of standing or walking.

Ball of Foot Pain when wearing normal (flat) shoes

Metarsalgia is not just limited to women wearing heels. Pain under the ball of the foot can also occur when wearing normal footwear, especially during long walks or standing or longer periods of time. And especially when wearing hard footwear like workboots.


Ball of Foot Pain can be caused by overpronation and can be treated with a full-length orthotic such as Podiatry designed Footlogics Comfort, which features a metatarsal raise to help alleviate the pressure and friction in the ball of the foot. This orthotic also corrects the problem of overpronation by supporting the arches.

Recommended products for Metatarsalgia

Footlogics - Comfort

Footlogics Comfort Orthotic 

Orthotics designed to provide foot comfort while standing or walking on your feet all day.  The Footlogics Comfort is a full-length orthotic developed by Podiatrists.  The Comfort provides relief for Plantar Fasciitis (heel pain), Ball of Foot pain, and other common foot complaints.  It fits in all types of lace-up shoes including joggers and also suitable for work boots.  More about Footlogics Comfort here.

Footlogics Catwalk

                           

Orthotics for fashion shoes.  Footlogics Catwalk orthotics are 3/4-length soft and flexible.  Developed by Podiatrists, they distribute body weight evenly over the entire foot.  The Catwalk reduces friction and pressure on the ball of the foot. The slim and thin design means the Catwalk is almost invisible in fashion shoes and even in sandals.  More about Footlogics Catwalk here.