Foot Exercises
Metatarsalgia Exercises
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How long does Metatarsalgia last?
Metatarsalgia lasts up to 12 weeks, but if the symptoms of Metatarsalgia are identified in the early stages, and appropriate treatment under the guidance of a Physical Therapist is undertaken, then Metatarsalgia can be resolved within 6 weeks. In severe cases of Metatarsalgia, it can take 6 months to recover from Metatarsalgia entirely after conservative treatment and surgery.
Does Metatarsalgia go away?
Metatarsalgia does go away, but this depends on your symptoms’ severity, management and causes. A physical therapist can treat mild to moderate symptoms caused by poor footwear or overuse. At the same time, more severe cases may require an ultrasound-guided steroid injection or, in rare scenarios, surgery may be necessary. After surgery, a period of Physical Therapy is recommended.
How to prevent Metatarsalgia?
Metatarsalgia is primarily an inflammatory condition caused by environmental and Physiological factors. You can take the following steps to reduce your risk of Metatarsalgia occurring:
- Wear cushioned shoes
- Don’t suddenly increase your activity levels
- Regularly stretch after exercise
- Avoid high heels
- Were a gel pad if you need to wear a heeled shoe
- Consider a cushioned insole if you have forefoot discomfort
Do tight calves cause Metatarsalgia?
There is no definitive evidence to suggest that calf tightness directly causes Metatarsalgia. Still, from a clinical perspective, tight calves can lead to an early heel lift during the gait cycle, which in turn quicks the transfer of weight onto the metatarsal heads. This could potential causes Metatarsalgia.
Is massage good for Metatarsalgia?
Massage is effective in providing short-term pain relief to the symptoms of Metatarsalgia. We recommend massaging the calf muscle and medial foot arch followed by stretching exercises. This can be performed by a Sports Massage therapist, foam rolling or a massage gun.
Related Article: Home Treatment for Metatarsalgia
Can I run with Metatarsalgia?
It is not recommended to run with Metatarsalgia as it places great stress on the metatarsal heads due to the high-impact nature of running, especially if you are a forefoot striker. If you decide to run, consider wearing wide-fitting, cushioned, zero-drop shoes to reduce the speed of weight transfer onto the forefoot.
Related Article: Metatarsalgia Exercises
Can I still exercise with Metatarsalgia?
Yes, you can continue to do a non-impact activity such as swimming if you have Metatarsalgia. Upper body weight training is permitted, but we recommend using machine weights, so you don’t need to carry heavy weights to and from the bench, which places extra stress on the forefoot.
Can I walk with Metatarsalgia?
You can continue to walk with Metatarsalgia, but we recommend short, frequent walks throughout the day as prolonged time on your feet can aggravate the symptoms of Metatarsalgia. We suggest a 15-20 minutes walk 3-4 times daily, or if you wish to walk for longer, take a 20-minute rest halfway through your walk. Overall we would not recommend more than 45 minutes of a continuous walk.
Physiotherapy 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 for £45.
Related Article: Metatarsalgia Treatment at Home