What is Metatarsalgia?
Metatarsalgia is a painful foot condition. If you are suffering from pain the ball of your foot, you may be wondering Do I have Metatarsalgia?
The pain of metatarsalgia can manifest itself as a burning or aching sensation in the ball of your foot, or a shooting pain, tingling or numbness in the toes. Some patients with Metatarsalgia say it can feel like you have a small stone stuck under your foot.
Metatarsalgia affects the bones which connect the toes to the ankle bones (i.e. the metatarsals). They support your bodyweight when you are walking, running and standing, so they can be a common source of pain. Metatarsalgia tends to be worse when you are exercising but we are going to show you some of the best ways to look after your painful feet, including finding comfortable shoes for Metatarsalgia.
Believe it or not, Metatarsalgia shoes do exist! There are stylish shoes for Metatarsalgia too! But first let's discuss the causes of Metatarsalgia.
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What Causes Metatarsalgia?
There are several causes of Metatarsalgia. Footwear can be one of the biggest risk factors for this kind of pain in the ball of your foot. It is very important to wear comfortable shoes for ball of foot pain. If you wear unsupportive footwear including shoes that are too loose or shoes that are too tight, you may risk damaging the balls of your feet.
There are other causes of Metatarsalgia too:
- Doing high-impact sports such as running or jumping. Distance runners are at risk of metatarsalgia pain because the front of the foot absorbs significant force when you run. If you are doing these types of exercise, it is important to wear shoes to support balls of foot pain.
- Certain foot shapes or conditions. There are certain joint or foot conditions which are often associated with metatarsalgia: including bunions, arthritis and Morton's neuroma.
- Unusual bone structures. If you have high arches, you may be putting extra pressure on your metatarsals, which can result in a painful ball of foot. Flat feet can also increase the chances of metatarsalgia.
- Excess weight. Your metatarsals support the weight of your body when you walk, run or stand, so those who are overweight are more prone to suffering from metatarsalgia.
Savannah: Black Suede - Mary Jane Flats for Balls of Foot Pain
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How To Deal with Ball of Foot Pain?
If your feet are hurting you, you need to look for comfortable shoes for balls of foot pain. You may think that "shoes to support balls of foot pain" are all orthopaedic-looking shoes. But fear not! There are plenty of stylish shoes for women with metatarsalgia. You just need to know what to look for!
In addition to wearing shoes for ball of foot pain, there are several home remedies you can try to soothe your painful feet.
- Stay off your feet. Avoid high impact activities (including running and jumping) for a while and rest your injured foot wherever you can.
- Do gentle stretching and strengthening exercises for your feet.
- Ice your foot with metatarsalgia pain.
- And of course, avoid any shoes which are not suitable for balls of foot pain (i.e. shoes which are too tight, too loose, or don't offer enough support under the ball of your foot).
Tamara: Black Snake Print Leather - Loafers for Ball of Foot Pain
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What are the Best Shoes for Metatarsalgia?
Sole Bliss specializes in fashionable, comfortable shoes for balls of foot pain and shoes for women with metatarsalgia. Here are our Top Tips on finding the best shoes for metatarsalgia / shoes for ball of foot pain:
1. Choose Shoes with a Roomy Toe-Box
2. Choose Shoes with Cushioning & Shock Absorption
3. Choose Shoes with Arch Support
4. Avoid Wearing High Heels
1. Choose Shoes with a Roomy Toe-Box:
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When you're looking for shoes for balls of foot pain, always look for shoes with a wide toe-box. Sole Bliss shoes feature a deep and wide toe-box which provides ample room for you to spread your toes.
The best shoes for metatarsalgia have this wide toe-box because it prevents putting undue pressure on your foot. It also prevents your toes from overlapping, squashing or cramping.
2. Choose Shoes with Cushioning & Shock Absorption:
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The best shoes for metatarsalgia will have great shock absorption, particularly in the ball of foot area. Shock absorption protects your feet (and your metatarsals) from the impact of hitting against the ground when you walk or run.
Metatarsalgia shoes with shock absorption help redistribute the weight and pressure on your feet. By evenly distributing your weight, you spread the pressure rather than putting force on one area of your foot. It is really important to make sure that this pressure is not applied to your metatarsals, as this will cause more ball of foot pain.
Sole Bliss shoes feature a cushioned and anatomically contoured footbed which provides triple-layer support and shock absorption.
3. Choose Shoes with Arch Support:
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Women with painful balls of feet should always look for shoes with extra comfort features such as arch support. Much like a supportive footbed with shock absorption, arch support can help redistribute the weight and pressure on your feet, avoiding pain in the ball of your feet.
4. Avoid Wearing High Heels:
Felicity: Ivory & Black Leather - Cushioned Flats for Balls of Foot Pain
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If you suffer with ball of foot pain, it is advisable to avoid wearing high heels for a little while. When you are wearing high heels, your bodyweight is shifted forward, putting pressure on your metatarsals and weakening the surrounding ligaments.
This does not mean you cannot wear heels anymore. In fact, there are comfortable heels designed for metatarsalgia. Sole Bliss specializes in stylish heels for ball of foot pain. However we would recommend avoiding heels higher than 3 inches. Instead you should consider footwear that provides better metatarsal support, for example low heels or block heels.
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How Do Shoes Support the Ball of Foot Pain?
Sole Bliss specialises in comfortable shoes to support pain in the ball of your foot. All our shoes are crafted from the finest, softest leather and are fully leather lined. Our shoes have extra space where you need it the most, in order to relieve the pain of wearing shoes which are too tight.
Our luxuriously cushioned and anatomically contoured footbed soothes any pain, swelling or burning sensations in the balls of your foot. This footbed, combined with the superior arch support found in our closed-back shoes, provides the necessary biomechanical correction you need to reduce the pain in the ball of your foot when walking, running or standing.
Browse our Full Collection of Shoes for Metatarsalgia and Shoes for Ball of Foot Pain.
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