Best Shoes for Metatarsalgia in 2022
What is Metatarsalgia?
Metatarsalgia is generalized pain underneath the metatarsals (ball of the foot).
Metatarsalgia common symptoms/complaints
- Sharp, aching or burning pain in the ball of your foot – the part of the sole just behind your toes
- Pain in the area around your second, third or fourth toes
- Pain near your big toe
- Pain that gets worse when you stand, walk or run and improves when you rest
- Sharp or shooting pain in your toes
- Numbness or tingling in your toes
- Pain that worsens when you flex your feet
- A feeling in your feet as if you’re walking with a pebble in your shoe
- Increased pain when you’re walking barefoot, especially on a hard surface
Sometimes these symptoms develop suddenly – especially if you’ve recently increased your usual amount of running, jumping or other high-impact exercise – but problems usually develop over time.
How is Metatarsalgia Caused?
Metatarsalgia is normally caused by physical activity such as running and jumping, improper shoes, or foot issues such as overpronation. Metatarsalgia is caused when something changes in the way your foot distributes pressure, causing excess pressure on the metatarsal heads (the rounded ends of the bones that connect with your toe bones.
Sometimes a single factor can lead to metatarsalgia. More often, several factors are involved, including:
- Intense training or activity. Runners are more likely to develop metatarsalgia because the front of the foot absorbs a lot of stress while they run. However, everyone who engages in a high-impact sport, particularly if their shoes are ill-fitting or worn out, is at danger.
- Certain foot shapes. A high arch or certain toe structure can cause excess weight to be shifted to the metatarsal heads.
- Hammertoes. The toe that is contracting can put additional pressure on the metatarsal heads.
- Bunions. This is a swollen, painful bump at the base of your big toe. A bunion can weaken your big toe, putting extra stress on the ball of your foot.
- Excess weight. Because the majority of your body weight is transferred to your forefoot when you move, extra pounds put more strain on your metatarsals.
- Poorly fitting shoes. High heels shift weight to the front of the foot and are a common cause of Metatarsalgia in women. Metatarsal issues can also be amplified by shoes with a narrow toe box or athletic shoes lacking support and padding.
- Stress fractures. Small fractures in the metatarsals or toe bones can be painful and alter the way you walk.
- Morton’s neuroma. Morton’s neuroma can cause additional stress on the metatarsal heads
How is Metatarsalgia treated?
free foot analysis
Although generally not serious, metatarsalgia can sideline you. Fortunately, conservative treatments, such as ice and rest, can often relieve metatarsalgia symptoms. And proper footwear, along with shock-absorbing insoles or arch supports, may be all you need to prevent or minimize future problems with metatarsalgia.
Conservative measures usually relieve the pain of metatarsalgia.
- Rest, Ice and Stretch the lower body.
- Wear proper shoes. Your doctor may suggest a shoe that is specifically designed for your foot type, stride, and sport.
- Use metatarsal pads. These over-the-counter pads are worn just in front of of the metatarsal bone in your shoes to help redirect stress away from the affected area.
- Custom arch supports. Arch supports that minimize stress on the metatarsal bones and improve foot function can be made to control your foot mechanics and off-load the pressure to the metatarsal boned. Rigid arch supports are made of a firm material such as plastic or carbon fiber. They’re designed to control motion in two major foot joints below your ankles. Semirigid arch supports are made of softer materials such as leather and cork reinforced by silicone. Arch supports designed to treat metatarsalgia may include metatarsal pads, too.
If conservative treatments fail, in rare cases surgery to realign the metatarsal bones may be an option. If you’re considering foot surgery, discuss the benefits and risks with your doctor.
Best Shoes for Metatarsalgia
We carry a wide variety of shoes and sandals for Metatarsalgia to help ease your discomfort in both casual and professional situations.
Many of the supportive shoes and sandals we carry have great support and accommodate orthotics. The best shoes for Metatarsalgia help reduce pressure on the ball of the foot by utilizing metatarsal pads and controlling pronation. Additionally, shoes for Metatarsalgia usually have soles the curve at the forefoot so pressure is reduced at toe off. Shoes for Metatarsalgia should have a wider toe box. You should be able to wiggle your toes freely inside the shoes.
Best Arch Supports for Metatarsalgia
We carry a wide variety of shoes and arch supports for heel spurs heel pain online and in Southern California to fit your casual, professional, and athletic shoes.
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Sovella S1000 Max Support Orthotic Arch Support |
Sovella S3000 |
S3500 COMFORT W/MET |
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Sovella Dress Arch Supports |
Sovella Dress Arch Supports with Met Pad |
We have fit customers with shoes and arch supports for metatarsalgia in Orange County, Inland Empire, Riverside and Los Angeles County.
Where to buy arch supports and shoes for metatarsalgia
At Lucky Feet Shoes, we carry a wide variety of arch supports and shoes for metatarsalgia online and in Southern California. We fit customers with arch supports and shoes for metatarsalgia in Orange County, Inland Empire, Riverside, Temecula and Los Angeles County. Our stores in Rancho Cucamonga, Riverside, San Dimas, Anaheim Hills, Temecula, Redlands, Palm Desert, Upland, and Long Beach. We invite you to stop by for a free foot analysis and try our arch supports and shoes for metatarsalgia. In addition, we have a large selection of comfort shoes, wide shoes, walking shoes, running shoes, arch supports, and custom orthotics!