metatarsalgia - (burning and numbness in the ball of foot)

I just thought I would share this with you after coming across this by accident. I think I stumbled across the diagnosis on this site by a fellow j2skier who actually mentioned metatrsalgia.

For at least 5 years I suffered with my feet. usually burning pains and numbness in the ball of my foot, sometimes the pain is excruciating. As I mentioned in another thread, the problems I had in February with some ski boots. I always just put up with it and thought it must just be me. But when I came across this, I could have jumped for joy. I finally had a name to the pain I have been going through. (I am waiting for an appointment with the podiatric department).

Anyway, we are off skiing again in March and I dont really want to repeat what happened in Niderau with my ski hire boots. I would really like to buy my own boots. What I want to know from those in the know, is have you actually heard of this condition? also if I am prescribed insoles for my ordinary shoes (which I think they problaby will do in the first instance) will these fit inside the ski boots?

I would like to thank the person who actually mentioned metatarsalgia on this site. There is also something called Morton's neuroma which I am not too sure what this is, but it is also linked with the same problems. Foor now, I await the appointment to start my foot journey of recovery. I really see some hope to get my feet back to the way they used to be, or at least not to burn all day. even in ordinary shoes my feet burn. i can be lying in bed reading a book and if my legs are bent so there is just a minimal amount of pressure on the soles of my feet, they start to burn after about 5 minutes.

here is the link to what I think I have.

http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/metatarsalgia/Pages/Introduction.aspx



here is the link to what I think I have.

Karen
Morton's Neuroma is damage to the nerves that run between the toes (and in my case) up them, apparently. I have had 2 Mortons operations. Avoid if at all possible. It's Day Case surgery. The traditional surgical solution is to remove the damaged nerve(s). The operation is mostly carried out through the top of the foot, but surgeons prefer to go through the sole, apparently it's easier (for them).

Often caused by tight fitting shoes squeezing the long bones together in high heels, but not exclusively.

The easiest way to ease Metatarsalgia is by raising the heads of the Metatarsal bones with a lift built into a footbed. Curing it, may take longer and be more challenging. Say goodbye to high heels and strappy sandals for the time being. Stout and sturdy footwear from now on. The full surgical fix for persistent chronic metatarsalgia is so horrible, you'll need to pm me, as the fellas on here are too sensitive to cope with the info. I have been advised that this would be no good for me, as my damaged foot lacks the necessary integrity.

Footbeds for shoes with a Metatarsal Bar may be no good for skiing. If you do get a formal diagnosis, seek out a good ski boot fitter to make you some supportive footbeds with a Bar built in. CEM did mine, and my Orthopaedic surgeon was very impressed with his work.

Good Luck and keep us posted :D

thanks for the reply bandit.

I rang up the podiatry dept (even though i thought they might refer me to the biomechanics dept) and there is a 12 week wait. I am trying to use my "we work in the same building line" to see if they can bump me up the queue but not sure if it will work. maybe if they get a cancellationa nd they remember me.

I think i need some insoles for my shoes inthe meantime - do you know what type i will need to correct this. I know i have had ones made a few years ago when i had plantar fasciitis but they were made at the hospital for free. not sure where to start when you buy them online.

Getting to CEM will also be tricky as i live up north and they are down south.

so a couple of questions

do your feet burn if you are lyuing down with knees bent reading a book (ie resting the book on your thighs)

do they burn in new trainers?

do they ache if you walk for about an hour? are you in agony the next day.

i know that the answers I have googled say it is like walking on pebbles but mine is more like walking on lava!

was the operation worth it? did you get much relief?

I am overweight and i do blame mine on my weight and i am hoping it will ease if i try and lose some (but i have been saying that for 10 years and i am still the same weight!)

Karen

Karen, I know of no inserts that can be purchased off the shelf. If you do have Metatarsalgia, then you will need the heads of the Metatarsals raised up under your foot. To know which ones need raising, you really need a professional diagnosis. Then a Metatarsal Bar can be made up for you, which will fit inside your footwear instead of a regular insole.

At this stage, because you've not had a diagnosis, you are not sure if you have Metatarsalgia or a Neuroma.
After 2 Mortons' operations, I developed Metatarsalgia, and I'm never without my inserts-ever. Every step hurts because there is now insufficient padding on the ball of my foot. With the Metatarsal Bar, I hiked up Snowdon this September at 15km approx with no problems. Good supportive footwear is now important to me.

My suggestion to you, is to go and see a private Podiatrist quickly, and get a diagnosis, because continuing with the level of foot pain that you have will affect your gait, so knees, hips and back are at risk long term. I have read a while ago about some developments with the treatments for Neuroma's which involved using Ultrasound to zap the nerves, at the time I mentioned it to my consultant and he was sceptical about the process. I looked for the article recently, and failed to find it, though ISTR it was a Portsmouth hospital trialling the method.

I think I have Plantar Fasciitis right now. I'm sitting rolling a ball back and fore on my instep :lol: Hey-ho !

I just thought I would update you on my appointment with the podiatry department and it is not good news.

I had my check and he tested my feet, made me walk etc, had a prod and a poke and said that my feet were mechanically perfect! unfortuantely my hopes of being given an insole to help my burning feet were dashed on the spot.

he thinks it is either vascular or neurological so he has had to refer me back to the GP...........the mystery continues and i am still in as much pain as ever from my burning feet!

stretch them calfs!!
lack of extension abilty can cause the problem you describe under your feet.
its associated with the posterior tibial tendon which runs from the back of your knee around the inside of your ankle and connects to the 8 bones of your feet.
worth a try
:lol: