A common foot problem for runners and how to avoid it
Running is a great way to exercise and improve your overall health, and it’s an enjoyable activity in many seasons, but it’s also hard on your feet if you’re not running properly or wearing the right shoes.
Today we are going to talk about metatarsalgia (met-uh-tahr-SAL-juh), the ball of the foot becomes painful and inflamed, a common overuse injury. No matter how hard you try to stay active and healthy, you can still have problems. Knowing the warning signs is the key to staying ahead of any problem.
The metatarsals are the five long bones that extend from the arch to the toes. When you pick yourself up off the ground, your body weight is transferred to your metatarsals, a solid set of shock absorbers. If the weight is distributed unevenly due to a tight Achilles heel or calluses, they can cause the metatarsals to become inflamed and irritated. The worst of the worst that can happen with Metatarsalgia is that you may need a shaved callus, a different insert, or a metatarsal pad or orthotic. It can lead to joint swelling, bone bruising, chronic stiffness, and loss of range of motion, so it’s best to start treatment as soon as possible.
M.’s symptomsetatarsalgia:
The most common symptom is pain in the foot, more specifically in the 2nd or 3rd toe. It is aggravated by walking or running. It is described as a sharp or stabbing pain. Metatarsalgia as a condition accumulates over time, so it’s best to rest your feet after long periods of time, whether walking or running. The pain gradually intensifies the more it is left untreated. Some describe the pain as the feeling of having a stone in the shoe.
The cause of metatarsalgia it’s pretty simple, overuse. Overusing your feet without rest or conditioning, especially if being overweight doesn’t make for happy feet. The best way to avoid Metatarsalgia
Overusing your feet without rest or conditioning, especially if being overweight doesn’t make for happy feet. The best way to avoid metatarsalgia is to take breaks between long runs and ice down swelling or pain when it occurs.
Metatarsalgia is not favored by any foot shape, flat foot or high arch. Just make sure you’re running in the right shoes. Always replace pads that are worn to avoid back, knee and especially foot problems.
Tip: If you like to walk on the balls of your feet, insoles will definitely help to relieve some of the pressure.
Keep running and hopefully now you can keep an eye out for and avoid this major issue many runners are facing!