Metatarsalgia
Pronunciation: met-uh-tar-SAL-jee-uh
A clinical term for pain and inflammation localised to the metatarsal heads, commonly addressed through orthotic offloading and padding strategies.
Full Definition
Metatarsalgia describes forefoot pain arising from excessive or abnormal pressure on the metatarsal heads, often linked to high-arched foot types, inappropriate footwear, or systemic conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis. In orthotic clinical writing, it appears frequently in referral letters, footwear assessment reports, and pressure-relief device prescriptions. Editors should be aware that it is a symptom descriptor, not a diagnosis of a specific pathology. The term should not be hyphenated and is always presented as a single word.
Usage
Usage note: Not a specific diagnosis; use as a symptom descriptor. Do not confuse with Morton's neuroma, which is a distinct pathology with similar presentation.
In Context
- "A metatarsal dome orthosis was prescribed to alleviate the patient's metatarsalgia." — Orthotic prescription form
- "Editors should note that metatarsalgia is a symptom, not a diagnosis, and copy should reflect this distinction." — Editorial style note