Metatarsalgia Forefoot Pain

Metatarsalgia, plantar fasciitis and gout are three names a person with foot pain may be handed. Knowing which of the three a page means comes first.

The OrthoInfo page on plantar fasciitis and bone spurs is the one to read for plantar fasciitis. A reader in Paterson comparing foot pain pages should expect any claim about cause, treatment or recovery to come with a footnote.

Where metatarsalgia usually hurts

Wikipedia states, "Metatarsalgia is most often localized to the first metatarsal head – the ball of the foot just behind the big toe." Note "most often": it gives a usual location, not a rule. No cause, treatment or recovery time comes with it, so a page that offers one needs its own source.

Gout is a separate name

Gout is the other name a forefoot page may borrow. How gout differs from metatarsalgia is a question for your clinician. The NIAMS page on gout is the reference to check. A page that blends the two should say where each description came from.

Foot pain pages that promise results

If a foot pain page promises results, look for the footnote behind the promise. The MedlinePlus pain page gives general background and helps separate a general statement about pain from a claim made for one product. Treatment tiers or features advertised for the forefoot deserve the same footnote test.

Pin down where your pain sits

Say exactly where your pain sits. Wikipedia places metatarsalgia most often at the ball of the foot behind the big toe, and a pain somewhere else is a different thing to describe to your clinician. For a professional body's view of pain care, see the American Academy of Pain Medicine.