Metatarsalgia Remedies - Ted's Q&A

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Posted by Smilia (London, Uk) on 05/19/2008

Dear Ted If you could please suggest anything for my husband who's been suffering with foot pain in the right foot ball for 1 year now, I would be grateful - It started in June 2007 inflamed and painful spot on his right foot and pain was moving around his football - after seeing many GPs, physios and podiatrists situation is now that he has been diagnosed with Metatarsalgia, had custom insoles fitted in his shoes, visiting physio once a week to have foot massage, but still he has sharp pains in soft tissue due to his bones been misaligned, numbness in foot ball and tingling feeling throughout the whole foot. It is 3rd week since he had custom insoles fitted and he is due for adjustment in 3 weeks, they told him he could be pain free after 3 months...but still long way to go and things seem to be getting worse than before. Could you help with any sugestion, please? Kind regards, Smilia

Replied by Joyce
Joelton, Tn
05/23/2008
495 posts

You didn't mention husband's age or existing medical problems. If he isn't already on them, Vit C, E, B complex, niacin might improve the situation. Be forewarned to start low with niacin and slowly increase because the warmth, redness and tingling all over is not an allergic reaction, it is normal response to niacin, as it stimulates the circulation.

Replied by Ted
Bangkok, Thailand
06/04/2008
391 posts

Most of the inflammation in the foot area is due to lack of blood circulation, inflammation, and blood sugar problems. Usually inflammation of extremities occur if levels of omega 3 is low occur and low levels vitamin C. So fish oil 1000 mg and 1000 mg of vitamin C sodium ascorbate were helpful after taking for a couple of days.

To help increase circulation and reduced acidity which caused the inflammation as foot and extremities has high carbon dioxide pressure and low oxygen, I found that 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda and 1/4 teaspoon of sodium carbonate (washing soda) in 1/2 glass of water 2 or 3 times a day to be helpful.

To reduce numbing, stinging sensation, vitamin B complex once every other day will help increase circulation of the extremities along with twice a week or three times a week vitamin E 400 I.u.

Massaging the area helps greatly relief the pressure and the pain in that area. It takes a while to reduce the pain through reduced walking and wearing shoes. I wore sandals for a while and seems helpful. It takes about a month of supplements to help reduce the problem.

Sometimes I noticed tenderness of that area, may be due to reduced hydration levels. In that case I might use 1/4 teaspoon of sea salt with 1/8 teaspoon of baking soda in a drinking water.

Ted

Replied by christine
NY
06/17/2022

I have been complaining of what started in the ankle (something just not right) & now 4 years later is terrible "ball of the foot" pain ...becomes unbearable 15 minutes into rollerblading, fast walking or running. After sitting for a while foot gets very stiff, walking barefoot - no problem....dr sees nothing on xray, sent to PT just says to keep trying until ins runs out.....how do I know if I have mortons neuroma or metatarsalgia?


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