Metatarsalgia caused by an increase in circulating platelets: a case report

A patient with a year-long history of metatarsalgia was found to have an elevated platelet count due to essential thrombocythemia, a benign myeloproliferative disease. Reduction of the platelet count with chemotherapy eliminated the foot pain. The authors recommended that a platelet count be part of the work-up of patients with metatarsalgia when the etiology of the foot pain is unclear.