If walking, standing or exercising brings on a sharp, aching or burning pain in the ball of your foot, you might be dealing with metatarsalgia. At Move4 Physio, our specialist sports podiatrist provides evidence-based solutions to get you back on your feet—comfortably.
Whether your symptoms came on gradually or after a specific change in activity, we’ll help you understand why the pain started and how to stop it from coming back.
Metatarsalgia is an umbrella term for pain and inflammation in the metatarsal heads—the bones just behind your toes. It’s often caused by excessive pressure, poor footwear, or abnormal loading patterns in walking or running.
Common signs include:
Pain or burning in the ball of the foot (often under the 2nd or 3rd toe)
Discomfort that worsens with walking, running or standing
A feeling of "walking on a pebble"
Numbness or tingling in the toes
Swelling or callus under the metatarsals
At Move4 Physio, our podiatry assessment goes beyond the pain point. We examine biomechanics, footwear, loading patterns and activity levels to find the root cause of your discomfort.
Your treatment plan may include:
✅ Detailed gait and pressure analysis
✅ Custom orthotics to redistribute pressure
✅ Footwear recommendations for daily wear, work or sport
✅ Offloading pads or insoles for immediate relief
✅ Strengthening exercises for foot and lower limb muscles
✅ Load management advice to support healing
✅ Collaboration with our physiotherapy team if needed
Our goal is to reduce pain, restore function, and prevent recurrence—whether you’re walking the dog, chasing after the kids, or training for a half marathon.
Metatarsalgia often stems from how your foot loads and functions—something a podiatrist is uniquely trained to assess and address. From subtle foot posture issues to footwear and activity load, we’ll guide you through a plan that makes sense for your lifestyle and goals.
Unsure if your forefoot pain is metatarsalgia—or what to do about it? Book a free 5-minute phone call with our podiatrist today. We’ll listen to your concerns, answer your questions, and guide you on your best next steps.
👉 Click here to book online or give us a call.
Step out of pain—step into personalised podiatry care.
