The term metatarsalgia, is an ‘umbrella’ term often used to describe pain in and around the forefoot area. This term is non-specific and covers pain that can be caused by many different pathologies, such as neuroma’s, inflamed nerves, stress fractures, damaged ligaments and inflamed joint capsules.
Your podiatrist can clinically determine the true cause of the metatarsalgia through physical examination – and if required – referral for appropriate x-rays or ultrasound.
Once a specific diagnosis is confirmed, the cause of the injury can then be addressed.
Whether the problem stems from faulty biomechanics (i.e. poor foot and leg alignment), acute trauma or a host of other possibilities – we will provide an effective treatment plan that best suits your needs.
Flat Feet
The term “Flat Feet” is a broad term used to describe feet with a low arch. Although this term has developed a bad reputation over the years, it may not be altogether warranted. Some people with flat feet may never develop any foot problems because this is simply the natural state of their foot structure. They are no more or less susceptible to injury than people with a neutral arch profile.
Issues can arise however when a person has a neutral or high arch profile when non-weight bearing, but a flat foot upon standing. The flattening of the arch usually occurs due to the heel and ankle rolling inwards during gait, this is called pronation.
Pronation is a natural and vital movement required during walking to assist in shock absorbtion. But when the foot pronates too far it causes excessive strain on several structures within the foot, potentially causing bunions, hammer toes, heel spurs, arch strain and neuromas. Excessive pronation can also cause pain within the ankles, shins, knees, hips and lower back.
It is the job of your podiatrist is to determine what is causing excessive pronation and to then select the most appropriate treatment plan to address it.
High Arches
High arches are often thought of as a great alternative to flat feet. However, high arched or cavoid feet cause plenty of their own problems. This foot type may be hereditary or acquired through neurological, orthopaedic or neuromuscular conditions.
A high arched foot is an unstable foot. It is regarded as being rigid and non-shock absorbent and having reduced ground contact area. The body is essentially balancing on just a small surface area (the heel and the ball of the foot) causing abnormal plantar pressures in the foot and stress in the lower limb muscles as they try to stabilise the body over the foot.
Common foot pain complaints include metatarsalgia, pain under the greater toe joint, plantar heel pain, callousing and ankle arthritis. Other concerns with the high arch foot include clawed digits, shoe-fitting problems, lateral ankle instability, lower limb stress fractures, knee and back pain.
People who have high arches most often need foot support. Your podiatrist can help to support your high arched feet, increasing their stability and decreasing the strain on the foot and lower limb. We will also recommend appropriate shoes to help absorb shock whilst walking.
Achilles Pain
Achilles Pain is inflammation, irritation and swelling of the Achilles tendon at it’s attachment to the back of the heel. When everyday stresses become too much for the tendon, painful symptoms develop. Symptoms include pain which is often worse after rest or with excessive activity.
Careful management of achilles tendonitis is required to enable complete recovery and re-strengthening of the tendon. Along with providing detailed advice in the treatment of achilles tendonitis, your podiatrist needs to assess the cause of the damage.
At times it is purely an increase in activity or poor footwear selection that becomes too much for the tendon. In other instances, there are bio-mechanical faults (e.g. flat feet or a decrease in ankle joint flexibility) or tight muscles that need to be addressed to allow recovery to occur.