Metatarsalgia is a condition where there is pain in the area of the ball of the foot. The foot has two different arches. The long longitudinal arch which goes from the heel to the ball, and the metatarsal arch which goes from the big toe to the small toe at the level of the ball of the foot. When there is a collapse of this metatarsal arch, it can cause pain across the forefoot area. This problem can become worse with the formation of a neuroma.

What is Mortons Neuroma?

When a nerve becomes irritated for some reason, the area surrounding the nerve becomes enlarged and creates a neuroma. The most common neuroma location is between the 3rd and 4th toes by the ball of the foot. This neuroma is called the Mortons Neuroma. A Mortons Neuroma sends pain into the ball of the foot as well as into the toes and sometimes causes numbness in the 3rd and 4th toes. A metatarsal arch in custom orthotics can be an effective treatment for this condition. A soft small triangular raise is put on the custom orthotic behind the ball of the foot. This is known as a metatarsal arch. Its purpose is to allow the metatarsal heads to slightly spread, support the arch, lessen the pinch on the nerve; thus reducing the irritation in that area.

How can Custom Orthotics help with pronation?

Pronation is what is commonly referred to as a flat foot. The long arch of the foot collapses and the foot elongates. This bio-mechanical problem can cause pain in the foot, and further up the leg. When this pronation occurs it causes a rotation in the lower bones of the leg. This can be a factor in other problems. This flattening of the foot will cause pain in the arch which becomes worse the longer you are on your feet. It can cause many other problems, such as shin splints and achillies tendonitis.

Supination

Supination is associated with a high arch foot. It is often associated with plantar fasciitis. Often it causes the person to run their shoes over to the outside. This can be helped by adding a wedge on the outside of the custom orthotic, which will help balance up the foot while still being supported by the orthotic on the inside of the foot. When a custom orthotic is ordered, and you have this problem, note that your shoes wear out on the outside. Custom Orthotics can be very effective method of treatment.

Dr. Bowden has been helping people as a Podiatrist for over 25 years. He has used custom orthotics to help many patients over the years. You can purchase your own custom orthotic from his website now.

Plantar fibromatosis is the condition of having plantar fibromas. A common cause of plantar fibromas is injury to the plantar fascia. A puncture wound or injury from repetitive pressure can cause a small tear in the plantar fascia which can cause plantar fibromas to form.

An individual with a plantar fibroma may notice a firm lump in the arch of the foot. This lump can cause pain, especially from pressure of shoes pushing against the lump.

The tissue of a plantar fibroma is not cancerous. Plantar fibroma will often shrink or go away without treatment.

A physician is likely to press on the lump when diagnosing a plantar fibroma. Pressing on the lump can cause pain that may radiate down to the toes. The physician may order an MRI or biopsy to confirm the diagnosis.

The physician may take a wait-and-see approach if the plantar fibroma is not causing any pain. If the plantar fibroma is causing pain, there are several treatment options.

The physician may recommend the use of orthotics devices such as shoe inserts to help relieve pressure on the plantar fibroma. The physician may suggest the use of over-the-counter pain relief medication.

Other treatment options include physical therapy, steroid injections, and cryoablation if the primary noninvasive treatment methods fail to provide relief. For treatment with steroid injections, the physician may inject corticosteroids into the fibroma to shrink it.

Cryoablation is a process in which a probe is inserted in an incision on the arch of the foot and is used to freeze the area around the plantar fibroma. The freezing damages the nerves around the fibroma which stops the individual from being able to feel pain in that area. Cryoablation can also be used to treat plantar fasciitis.

Surgical removal of the plantar fibroma is one possible treatment option, but it is often not recommended due to possible complications. Surgical removal of a plantar fibroma can cause flattening of the arch of the foot.

Please pay lots of attention to your foot care if you are having problems. And please seek any podiatrist for help if you have any foot problems. We have a free forum full of podiatrists, that give free foot health advice.