Metatarsalgia

tiegan

Hi there, anyone on here suffer or has suffered from metatarsalgia?? Any tips on recovery? I am not looking for medical advice here, but just wondering how long it took to clear up? Could you still run or did you have to pack up for a while? Currently icing and ibuprofen. All advice welcome, thanks!

ECOLII

Your current treatment methods will relieve the symptoms but not the cause, there can be a number of things causing this,

The recovery time also depends on the treatment but many will find metatarsal pads take pressure off the area enough to let the pain subside enough to be able to tackle the underlying causes (i.e not a long term solution)

frash

I developed metatarsalgia around October last.

Turned out it was caused by chronically tight calf muscles. I took a month off running and did some stretching (probably not enough) but when I returned to running the pain reappeared.

Still have it now but not as bad - as said by ecolii the metatarsal pads do help & now the recovery after a run is quicker than it was without them.

I've got what is called a 'dropped metatarsal head' now but hoping if I can sort out my calf muscles that this should fix itself.

I'd say this will be locked soon enough as it's turning into a medical advise thread but I'd say go see someone about it.

tiegan

Thanks for the replies, have taken medical advice, and not really any the wiser. But interested in your comment about tight calf muscles - could well be part of the problem. Also, I had not realised that metatarsalgia is a general term for foot pain, not a specific problem. A bit like the term "colic" which is a tummy ache but could be many different reasons for it. Have put met pads in my shoes and got some relief, must now go and get my calf muscles checked out by the sports therapist. Really opened the thread to see what had worked for other people. But I appreciate the time taken for you both to reply. Much appreciated.

wgtomblin

Hi, I had it about two years ago. Running on it just made it worse. It took about 4 months to clear up, with about 2 continuous months of no running at all. I used metatarsal pads when I started easing back into running, but I don't know for sure if they helped or not. The pain didn't re-appear. I did focus more on stretching calves and replacing my trainers more often, but I nor my physio could pin-point the original cause.

frogstar

I have it too. To be clear mine is pain / swelling on ball of left foot.

Also have tight calf muscle s and I know I don't stretch them enough. My big toe is also shorter than second toe which doesn't help.I also have bony feet apparently

Still suffer but not as much since I got runners from amphibian king (mizuno), previously wore nike frees that made it worse

tiegan

frogstar wrote: »

I have it too. To be clear mine is pain / swelling on ball of left foot.

Also have tight calf muscle s and I know I don't stretch them enough. My big toe is also shorter than second toe which doesn't help.I also have bony feet apparently

Still suffer but not as much since I got runners from amphibian king (mizuno), previously wore nike frees that made it worse

Are you a fore/mid/heel strike runner? Just wondering because I strike fore/mid foot - it might have nothing to do with it, but certainly cannot help. I might look into the mizuno's.

TheCoolWay

The ball of my foot has been in a lot of pain on and off since Xmas, doctor bewildered. Is that the same symptoms ye all had? Going to contact a podiatrist tomorrow

frash

TheCoolWay wrote: »

The ball of my foot has been in a lot of pain on and off since Xmas, doctor bewildered. Is that the same symptoms ye all had? Going to contact a podiatrist tomorrow

Yeap.

I'd go to physio first as mine was caused by tight calf muscles - not sure a podiatrist would check this (never been to one)

TheCoolWay

frash wrote: »

Yeap.

I'd go to physio first as mine was caused by tight calf muscles - not sure a podiatrist would check this (never been to one)

I think my physio caused it... was getting treatment for shin splins

tiegan

Well I have an appt with chiropodist/foot specialist on weds. So went to the physio today to rule out calf stiffness. Quite an eye opener. Calf very tight from lower calf and right down through muscles on sole of the foot. Agony while she worked on it, but seems much better now. Time will tell. I would have laid money it had got nothing to do with the calves!!

frash

TheCoolWay wrote: »

I think my physio caused it... was getting treatment for shin splins

You need a new physio then!