Shoes for Metatarsalgia

What is Metatarsalgia?

Metatarsalgia is a condition in which the ball of your foot, where the toes meet the metatarsal bones, becomes painful and inflamed. There are five metatarsal bones in each foot that connect to the phalanges (toe joints) - also known as the ball of your foot. These joints can become inflamed due to imbalance of the bones in this region. The weight of the body can be unevenly distributed causing pressure points and discomfort. Ill-fitting footwear with narrow or pointed toe boxes can worsen the foot condition by not allowing the toes to naturally spread out in the shoe. Also, activities or sports that cause repetitive impact and stress on this area of the foot can cause and worsen the condition.

How can shoes help with Metatarsalgia?

Wearing shoes with great arch support is ideal when managing pain associated with Metatarsalgia. Arch support stabilizes joints providing relief when overuse occurs. Rocker bottom shoes are also nice as they relieve some of the work the foot experiences as it moves through the gait cycle. Wearing shoes with more room in the toe box can ease cramped toes by providing a little extra wiggle room. Shoe inserts also stabilize the foot by realigning your feet in the correct position to distribute weight evenly between your feet. Some people may find custom-made orthotics to be most effective as they are molded to fit the exact specifications of the wearer. Those suffering from Morton's Neuroma may also find proper fitting shoes beneficial as well as the symptoms associated with Morton’s Neuroma are similar to Metatarsalgia and can also contribute to added metatarsal stress. A good shoe for metatarsalgia pain would have a wide toe box, exceptional support at the arch, cushioning at the ball of foot, a stiff midsole for additional support, and a mid-foot rocker bottom.