Metatarsalgia: a clinical review of diagnosis and management

Metatarsalgia is the symptom of pain in the region of the metatarsophalangeal articulations. In a careful analysis of 98 patients who presented with complaints of forefoot pain, 23 distinct diagnoses were made as to the etiology of their pain. These diagnoses were grouped under primary metatarsalgia, secondary metatarsalgia, and pain under the forefoot. Specialized tests, such as stance phase cholesterol-crystal force plate analysis and intraarticular or digital nerve block, are helpful in determining the diagnosis and the likelihood of effective treatment.