The Injury Hub

Metatarsal Pain: Info, Symptoms & Treatment.

Our Chartered Physiotherapists across Ireland are experts in the causes, symptoms and treatment of metatarsal pain.

The Injury Hub: Metatarsal Pain

What is a metatarsal pain?

People with metatarsalgia suffer from intense ball-of-foot or metatarsal pain. The five metatarsal bones act as a shock absorber and if forces are unevenly distributed may become irritated causing pain.

This condition is often due to a number of causative factors such as: intense training or activity, foot deformities, foot imbalance, excessive weight, poor foot wear, stress fractures and Morton’s neuroma.

Woman with painful metatarsal

How We Can Help.

Symptoms, Treatment & How We Can Help Your Recovery.

Learn about common metatarsal injury symptoms, effective treatments, and how our expert team supports your recovery journey every step of the way.

For people who suffer with metatarsal pain, the main symptom is pain in the ball of the foot. Metatarsal pain is most pronounced when walking or engaging in sports.

Other symptoms can include sharp, burning, aching pain in the ball of your foot, usually affecting the second toe. Pain gets worse on standing, running, flexing feet, or walking especially barefoot. Normally symptoms develop over a few months and improve with rest. People often express a feeling of having a stone or pebble in their shoe and may experience tingling or numbness into the toes.

Some people may also experience discomfort when simply wearing shoes.

If left untreated, metatarsal pain can lead to other more serious foot and lower body joint problems, so it is important to consult a podiatrist or physiotherapist.

Treating metatarsal pain depends on the cause, but simple additions such as metatarsal pads to your shoes that help spread the weight will help ease the pain. In addition, orthotics will spread your weight more equally across the bottom of the foot and provide stability to the arch, relieving metatarsal pain.

Our Chartered Physiotherapists can assess your foot to determine which form of treatment would be most suitable for you. Good foot wear which suit your needs and a personalised stretching program can also help.

The causes of metatarsal pain can be attributed to a number of factors, from bone abnormalities to systemic conditions such as diabetes. The most common cause of metatarsal pain is an imbalance in the long bones of the foot.

The metatarsal bones equally share the weight of a person during walking and daily activities. When this delicate balance between bones is disrupted, the result can be mild to intense metatarsal pain. This pain can present difficulties when training, competition or during general daily activities.

Our highly skilled Chartered Physiotherapists have extensive experience in foot biomechanics and foot pain, so you know you are in safe hands.

Our patient’s health journeys

CMM Coate
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Very good attention from Igor. He was professional and friendly and took the time to answer questions. I would certainly revisit Thank you.
Alice O
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The best deep tissue massage by Marcelo! Would definitely go again.
Linda C
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A very plesant and efficient physiotherapy service.
Kevin M
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Had a very positive experience. Had severe back pain and Dylan was able to see me at short notice. He was very thorough and clear in assessing and explaining my condition and structuring a recovery exercise program that worked very succesfully. I am now fully recovered and looking forward to being as active as I was before my injury.
Sonia F
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Really happy with the two appointments I had with Dylan Connelly to treat my calf strain. His approach was both professional and personable and he ensured that I was completely comfortable during all phases of the appointments. He explained and demonstrated the exercises in 'lay' terms and ensured that I understood and was happy with the approach and expected outcomes. I would definitely recommend Dylan for any physio needs.
Amy B
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I met with Lisa on three occasions in relation to my hamstring and she was absolutely amazing! So easy to chat to and super informative. You need to book at least a week or two in advance to get a spot with her and it's no surprise. She's absolutely fantastic! He explained and demonstrated the exercises in 'lay' terms and ensured that I understood and was happy with the approach and expected outcomes. I would definitely recommend Dylan for any physio needs.
Lisa O
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I went to Olga for 4 or 5 weeks before the marathon this year for hip pain. I was contemplating not running as my long run training had become so painful on the hip. Olga treated with dry needling and massage and over 2 sessions, I saw a big difference. I continued a weekly session to keep me loose and followed her exercise plan. I completed the marathon with no hip issues and felt like my recovery after was a lot faster than previous years.
Margaret C
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Myself and my mother attended Craig for 3 sessions - he is expert at what he does, so understanding, gentle and kind. Great personality and a really skilled physio. Would recommend him absolutly without reservation.He explained and demonstrated the exercises in 'lay' terms and ensured that I understood and was happy with the approach and expected outcomes. I would definitely recommend Dylan for any physio needs.
Patrick M
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I had a painful trapped nerve in my neck which caused pain together with pins and needles running into my arm and hand. I attended Mohammed twice over a period of two weeks. It completely resolved after second appointment. Mohammed is an expert professional at what he does. I would highly recommend his services. I would definitely recommend Dylan for any physio needs.
Lauren T
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I can only recommend Dr. Muhammed Sohail. I’ve been to many physio consultants and he’s been the very best so far: dry needling has improved my IT band issues so much over two sessions including my knee pain. I would definitely recommend Dylan for any physio needs.
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