Metatarsalgia
The term metatarsalgia covers all diseases of the metatarsus. More precisely, this term refers to pain that occurs in the metatarsus or in the metatarsal bones in extension of the second to fifth toe. Pain in the area of the big toe is considered separately.
So anyone who feels pain in the metatarsus is in fact suffering from metatarsalgia. The reasons for this are as varied as the feet of the affected person themselves. As a rule, it is a foot malposition or deformity that was not treated correctly in childhood and now causes problems in later years. But overstrain, inflammatory processes or, in rare cases, tumors can also cause pain in the metatarsal region.
Fatigue fracture in the metatarsus
The fatigue fracture of the metatarsus can basically be attributed to two causes. On the one hand, the bones of the metatarsus can show structural damage. This means that they no longer have their actual bone density and thus no longer have their hardness and resistance.
The reasons for this can be bone diseases, for example, but also drugs such as cortisone. On the other hand, an overload of the metatarsal bones is also a possible cause. In most cases as a result of too much sporting activity without the body being used to it.
However, incorrect running shoes can also lead to an unfavorable distribution of force during running, for example. The first early warning symptoms are the pain that occurs during exertion and disappears again when the body is at rest. However, due to the break, the pain no longer disappears at rest and each step costs painful effort.
In addition, a bruise appears near the affected bone, which gradually spreads. For the treating physician, the information should be reason enough to examine the foot radiographically. Here, the X-ray image shows a fracture gap in mostly a metatarsal bone.
Inflammation at the ball of the foot
Inflammations in the bunion area are usually caused by a wound, which allows germs to enter the body from the outside. Accordingly, people who move barefoot are more at risk. Barefoot runners can suffer the smallest injuries on the sole of their feet, which they themselves never actually notice, but which allow bacteria to “enter” the human body and multiply there.
Typical signs of an inflammation on the ball of the foot are usually pain when the ball of the foot is strained.Due to the bacteria that have penetrated the foot here, it is much more sensitive and strains that would normally not cause pain are perceived as painful. Further indications of inflammation are swelling and reddening of the foot at the site. In addition, the ball of the foot feels much warmer in the reddened area. The final symptom of the inflammation of the soccer is difficulty walking on tiptoe.
