Print DiagnosisVarious foot problems can cause symptoms similar to those of metatarsalgia. To help pinpoint the source of your pain, your doctor will examine your foot while you stand and while you sit and ask about your lifestyle and activity level. You might need an X-ray to identify or rule out a stress fracture or other foot problems.More InformationX-ray TreatmentConservative measures — such as resting, changing shoes or using a metatarsal pad — might be all you need to relieve signs and symptoms. In rare cases, when conservative measures don't relieve your pain and your metatarsalgia is complicated by foot conditions such as hammertoe, surgery to realign the metatarsal bones might be an option. Request an appointment There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Review/update the information highlighted below and resubmit the form. 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Thank you for subscribing! You'll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox. Sorry something went wrong with your subscription Please, try again in a couple of minutes Retry Lifestyle and home remediesTo help ease your metatarsalgia pain, try these tips: Rest. Protect your foot from further injury by not stressing it. Elevate your foot after standing or walking. You might need to avoid your favorite sport for a while, but you can stay fit with low-impact exercises, such as swimming or cycling. Ice the affected area. Apply ice packs to the affected area for about 20 minutes at a time several times a day. To protect your skin, wrap the ice packs in a thin towel. Take an over-the-counter pain reliever. Try ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others), naproxen sodium (Aleve) or aspirin to reduce pain and inflammation. Wear proper shoes. Avoid too-tight or too-loose shoes and limit your wearing of high heels. Wear shoes appropriate to the sports you play. Use metatarsal pads. These off-the-shelf pads are placed in your shoes just ahead of the metatarsal bone to help deflect stress from the painful area. Consider arch supports. If insoles don't help, your doctor might recommend arch supports to minimize stress on the metatarsal bones and improve foot function. You can buy arch supports over-the-counter, or they can be custom fitted. Preparing for your appointmentYou'll either see your family doctor or general practitioner or be referred to a bone specialist (orthopedist) or a foot specialist (podiatrist). Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment. What you can doMake a list of: Your symptoms, including any that may seem unrelated to your foot pain, and when they began Key personal information, including sports you participate in and your medical history Questions to ask your doctor For metatarsalgia, some basic questions to ask your doctor include: What's causing my symptoms? Do I need tests? Is my condition likely temporary or chronic? What treatment do you recommend? Do I need to restrict my activities? Are there brochures or other printed material I can have? What websites do you recommend? What to expect from your doctorYour doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions, including: What type of shoes do you wear? What activities do you do? Does your daily routine involve a lot of walking or standing? Do you often go barefoot? On what types of surfaces? Are your symptoms continuous or occasional? How severe are your symptoms? What, if anything, seems to improve your symptoms? What, if anything, appears to worsen your symptoms? What you can do in the meantimeWhile you're waiting to see your doctor, rest your foot as much as possible and wear properly fitting shoes. Over-the-counter pain relievers might help ease your discomfort. By Mayo Clinic Staff Request an appointment Symptoms & causesDoctors & departments Nov. 03, 2021 Print Share on: FacebookTwitter Show references Fields KB. Evaluation and diagnosis of common causes of foot pain in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed Aug. 23, 2016. Metatarsalgia. The American College of Foot & Ankle Orthopedics & Medicine. http://www.acfaom.org/information-for-patients/common-conditions/metatarsalgia. Accessed Aug. 23, 2016. Espinosa N, et al. Metatarsalgia. Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. 2010;18:474. Metatarsalgia (forefoot pain). American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society. http://www.aofas.org/footcaremd/conditions/ailments-of-the-smaller-toes/Pages/Metatarsalgia.aspx. Accessed Aug. 23, 2016. Imboden JB, et al. Approach to the patient with foot & ankle pain. In: Current Diagnosis & Treatment: Rheumatology. 3rd ed. New York, NY: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2013. http://www.accessmedicine.com. Accessed Aug. 24, 2016. Related Metatarsalgia Associated Procedures X-ray Products & Services Book: Mayo Clinic Family Health Book, 5th Edition Book: Mayo Clinic Guide to Pain Relief Newsletter: Mayo Clinic Health Letter — Digital Edition Show more products and services from Mayo Clinic MetatarsalgiaSymptoms & causesDiagnosis & treatmentDoctors & departments Advertisement Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Advertising & Sponsorship Policy Opportunities Ad Choices Mayo Clinic Press Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press. 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There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Review/update the information highlighted below and resubmit the form. From Mayo Clinic to your inbox Sign up for free, and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID-19, plus expertise on managing health. Click here for an email preview. Email ErrorEmail field is required ErrorInclude a valid email address Learn more about Mayo Clinic’s use of data. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. Subscribe! Thank you for subscribing! You'll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox. Sorry something went wrong with your subscription Please, try again in a couple of minutes Retry