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Metatarsalgia

Ammar Shahid, MD and Marc W. McKenna, MD Reviewed 05/2023
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • Metatarsalgia is defined as pain in the forefoot under one or more metatarsal heads.

  • There are three groups:

    • Primary: due to anatomical issues between the MT and other parts of the foo...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

  • Pain gradually develops and persists over the heads of one or more metatarsals. Pain is usually on the plantar surface and worse during midstance gait phase.

  • Pain is often chronic.

  • Pred...

TREATMENT

Treatment for metatarsalgia is typically conservative. 
  • Relieve pain.

  • Ice initially

  • Rest: temporary alteration of weight-bearing activity; use of cane or crutch. For more physically active pati...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

Patient Monitoring

If stress fracture has been ruled out and patient’s condition has not improved >3 months of conservative treatment, consider surgical evaluat...

REFERENCES

1
DiPreta  JA. Metatarsalgia, lesser toe deformities, and associated disorders of the forefoot. Med Clin North Am.  2014;98(2):233–251. [View Abstract on OvidMed...

ADDITIONAL READING

  • Birbilis  T, Theodoropoulou  E, Koulalis  D. Forefoot complaints—the Morton’s metatarsalgia. The role of MR imaging. Acta Medica (...

SEE ALSO

Morton Neuroma (Interdigital Neuroma) 

CODES

ICD10

  • M77.40 Metatarsalgia, unspecified foot

  • G57.60 Lesion of plantar nerve, unspecified lower limb

  • M77.42 Metatarsalgia, left foot

  • M77.41 Metatarsalgia, right foot

  • G57.61 Lesion of plantar nerve, ri...

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • Metatarsalgia refers to pain of the plantar surface of the forefoot in the region of the metatarsal heads.

  • Metatarsalgia is common in athletes who participate in high-impact sports invo...

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