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Circulation & Ankle Swelling With Metatarsal Pain

The ball of your foot is the metatarsal. The heel of your foot is the tarsus. The five cylindrical bones that reach from your heel to the toes make up the metatarsal. If you are experiencing pain in this region of your foot, it is called metatarsalgia, which can be the result of numerous factors, including poor circulation, arthritis, posture issues and a pinched nerve between your toes.

  1. Identification

    • Generally, metatarsal pain is the result of an abnormality in one of the joints that is located closest to the ball of your foot. Nerve damage is also a common cause of metatarsal pain.

    Neuroma

    • It could be that you have developed a neuroma in your foot. A neuroma is the thickening of nerve tissue. The most frequent type of foot neuroma is called Morton's neuroma. It occurs between your third and fourth toe and is sometimes called intermetatarsal neuroma. Neuromas can occur elsewhere in your foot.

    Circulation and Compression

    • If you have restricted the blood circulation in your feet and compressed or irritated a foot nerve, this can cause a neuroma to develop. Wearing shoes that have a tapered toe box or high heels can contribute to this condition because the toes are squeezed and forced into an area that is too small.
      A neuroma is not a tumor but a pinched nerve that occurs because compression of your foot has resulted in swelling. A neuroma causes sharp pain, particularly when wearing shoes, notes Footcaredirecto.com. When the nerve in your foot is compressed, you might actually feel a popping sensation when you walk, according to Podiatrynetwork.com. The pain will be intermittent and worsen every time the nerve is pinched.

    Swelling

    • Swelling of your foot and pain can result with Morton's neuroma because the nerve has become inflamed. Your foot will burn and might even feel numb in addition to being painful. You might experience tingling and cramping as well, explains Foot.com.

    Treatment

    • If you are experiencing ankle swelling and metatarsal pain, there are treatments available to help relieve your pain. Corticosteroid injections can be given and orthotics (shoe insert devices) can be worn that will provide your foot with support and comfort. A more extreme measure of treatment includes the chemical destruction of the nerve that is giving you fits. Neuroma surgery can be done, which entails completely removing the nerve. Discuss these options with your foot doctor.

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