What Is Metatarsalgia?

This is a general term used to denote a painful foot condition in the metatarsal region of the foot (the area just before the toes, more commonly referred to as the ball-of-the-foot). It is a common foot disorder that can affect the bones and joints technically located under the 2^nd, 3^rd, and 4^th metatarsal heads.

Complications

Avascular necrosis (Freiberg's disease), a condition that usually affects the second metatarsal head, occurs when a temporary or permanent loss of blood to the feet causes the death of bone tissue. Without treatment, the bone itself may collapse. Although metatarsalgia alone doesn't cause avascular necrosis, it may help trigger the condition in people who have a predisposition to develop it.

Untreated metatarsalgia may also lead to:

• Injury to ligaments in the feet.
• Pain in other parts of the same or opposite limb due to altered weight bearing.
• Toe problems.
• Long standing stiffness and loss of range of motion.

More information about this condition

• Cause
• Risk factors
• Diagnosis