What causes metatarsalgia?

Metatarsalgia is usuallythe result of increased pressure on the ball of the foot.

Some common causes of metatarsalgia include:

  • badly fitting footwear high-heeled or restrictive shoes can force the ball of the foot into a small amount of space, which puts more pressure on that area
  • high-impact sports sportslikerunning or tennis put extra pressure on the feet
  • being overweight or obese this can also increase the pressure on the feet
  • an unusual bone structure in the feet having narrow, high-arched or flat feet can increase the chances of metatarsalgia
  • joint and foot conditions including Arthritis , gout , bunions , bursitis , Morton's neuroma , hammer toes, and stress fractures

Metatarsalgia is also more common in older people and people with diabetes .

Content supplied by the NHS Website

Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 21 Dec 2018