Feet pain, especially in the front part, towards the fingers, also called metatarsalgia can have different causes and it can be alleviated in different ways – explains Dr. Leonardo Maradei, Head of Foot and minimally invasive Surgery at Humanitas. – Depending on the causes, strengthening the foot muscles applying specific gymnastics, losing weight, if you are overweight, and use of an orthopedic insole are effective actions that give relief in case of metatarsalgia. While muscular reinforcement of the feet and weight loss are actions that help improve the functionality and overload of the foot, the use of an insole can help solve the problem. However, before resorting to the orthopedic insole, it is good to contact an orthopedic specialist who, after the evaluation of the computerized step, thanks to an examination able to detect the support of the moving foot, will indicate the material, the shape and the duration of use of the insole, most appropriate to the problem. In fact, if metatarsalgia is associated with lifestyles, such as micro-trauma at the forefoot due to sports, such as running or jumping, where there is a greater risk of overloading the front of the foot, wearing the footbed for some weeks after the onset of the pain helps to reduce inflammation and restores normal support and you can start exercising again. The pain due to a flat foot or deformity in the support of the foot, which are among the most frequent causes of metatarsalgia, is different. In these cases, when the cause is the foot shape, the indications of use of the footbed are different from the ones given to people who practice sports because there is constant overload on the forefoot. Therefore, the orthotics must be worn always and in any case for the whole time while you are standing, even at home, by inserting the insole between the foot and the shoe.
