Pronounced

Met-a-TAR-sal-jia

This condition affects the ball of the foot.

Defined

Pain in the plantar metatarsal forefoot area.  This is the area just before the toes, ie. the ball of the foot.

A very common disorder usually located under the 2nd, 3rd and 4th metatarsal heads and often located closer to the first metatarsal head near the big toe.

Symptoms

Bruised feeling in the ball of the foot, burning sensation, pain over the whole area of the metatarsal heads.  Pain may be experienced by the patient when applying pressure to the plantar surface.  Localised pain is designated as Morton's Neuroma (see Conditions - Morton's Neuroma).

Biomechanical Aetiology

As the foot pronates excessively over time, ligaments and soft tissues weaken, resulting in ligament laxity and some muscle wastage may occur.

As excessive pronation occurs, the metatarsals plantarflex in the forefoot and rotate resulting in shearing forces on the foot structures causing pressure and pain.  Over time the foot may experience nerve damage or callosities.

Treatment

ICB orthotics re-align and lift the metatarsal heads by dorsiflexing the 2nd, 3rd and 4th metatarsals to their neutral position, using an in-built Triangular Shaft to correctly position the metatarsal bone and maintain this position.  Control of excess pronation by using orthotics prevent plantar-flexion (dropping) and shearing of the metatarsal shafts.  ICB orthotics use a unique Weight Distribution System (WDS) to balance and distribute the weight over the five metatarsal bones thus helping to remove excess weight and friction, a common cause of callousity and burning sensation in the forefoot.  If additional transverse arch lift is required, an ICB metatarsal dome can be applied to the orthotic.

Exercises

• Intrinsic forefoot exercises.
• Golf ball to the ball of the foot exercise.

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