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Director at Flawless Physio
James McCormack is a Knee, Foot and Ankle Specialist Physiotherapist with over 10 years experience.
Alongside his clinical work he has created this website to provide free-to-read content for it's users.
Alongside his clinical work he has created this website to provide free-to-read content for it's users.
Latest posts by James McCormack (see all)
- Anterior Ankle Impingement - July 24, 2022
- Tarsal Coalition - October 12, 2022
- Sural Nerve Pain - October 3, 2022
Are you struggling with pain in the ball of your foot? Metatarsalgia is a painful inflammatory condition that can be made better or worse depending on the type of shoes you wear!
Metarasalgia is a condition that affects the ball of the forefoot resulting in pain and inflammation of the metatarsal joints when weight-bearing, walking or running.
Metatarsalgia can be caused by sudden increases in activity levels such as running or walking, high heels, poorly supported shoes or foot deformities. The condition is more prevalent in females than males and is often accompanied by other conditions such as Morton’s Neuroma or Stress Fractures.
As shoes and running shoes play a vital role in the cause of Metatarsalgia, this article will discuss and recommend our favourite footwear for Metatarsalgia.
Related Article: Best Home Treatment For Metatarsalgia
Best Shoes for Metatarsalgia
The best shoes for Metatarsalgia should have a stiff, cushioned sole with a wide toe box, low heel drop and stable arch support.
A Stiff Sole: reduces the amount of extension required from the metatarsals during the push-off phase of walking and running, which eases pain and inflammation.
A Low Heel Drop: refers to the difference in height between the back of the shoe to the front. The lower the difference, then less pressure is applied to the forefoot when standing.
A Cushioned Sole: absorbs impact during impact activities to reduce the pressure on the metatarsals while providing extra protection and comfort when standing.
A Wide Toe Box: prevents compression of the metatarsophalangeal joints, which reduces the risk of irritation and inflammation.
James McCormack is a Physical Therapist who specializes in foot & ankle injuries. james-mccormack.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
Best Shoes For Metatarsalgia
We recommend the Sketchers Go Walk shoe for Metatarsalgia as it has an excellent combination of a lightweight rubber sole and a mesh cover.
The lightweight rubber sole absorbs shock from the ground when walking to protect the sole of the foot, while the mesh top cover allows the toes to spread for those with a wider foot.
Sketchers are renowned for their reliability and durability; we have found that they are excellent shoes for Metatarsalgia.
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Best Running Shoes for Metatarsalgia
Hoka Clifton 8
We recommend the Hoka Clifton 8 as the best running shoe for Metatarsalgia due to its responsive low heel drop, extra padded cushioning, rocker bottom sole and wide-fit toe box.
They are one of the most cushioned running trainers on the market, with a 5mm heel drop and a rocker bottom sole to take the pressure off your metatarsals.
The Hoka Clifton 8 has a wide-fitting option to prevent compression of the toes.
Buy on AmazonBest Running Shoes for Metatarsalgia: Asics
We recommend the Asics Gel-Nimbus 25 as one of the best running shoes for metatarsalgia, especially if you have a heel strike.
Asics Gel-Nimbus 25 is a maximal cushioned shoe with neutral support. It is available in 3 width sizes.
It has an 8mm heel-to-toe drop, which isn’t as low as some shoes and would suit a runner with a heel strike best.
The Asics Gel-Nimbus 25 was also the “Comfort Test” winner of The Biomechanics Lab, South Australia.
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Best Sandals For Metatarsalgia
The Naot Sandal is one of our favourite brands of sandals due to their cork sole, which is contoured to give additional medial arch support while absorbing impact when walking.
The three straps across the foot and additional heel straps provide an element of stability that most sandals lack, while their insole is replaceable so that you can alter the required support level.
Overall, sandals aren’t fantastic for Metatarsalgia, but if the weather is hot, we wouldn’t hesitate to recommend the Naot Sandal for Metatarsalgia.
Buy on AmazonPhysiotherapy with James McCormack
This is not medical advice. We recommend a consultation with a medical professional such as James McCormack. He offers Online Physiotherapy Appointments weekly.
Related Article:
Home Treatment for Metatarsalgia
Best Metatarsal Pads
Capsulitis: A cause of forefoot pain