The Best Metatarsal Pads

Simple yet effective, metatarsal pads are stuck to the insoles of the shoes to take pressure off the balls of the feet. If worn correctly, metatarsal pads have numerous benefits including absorbing the shock of walking and running, and redistributing weight across the forefeet. With this in mind, check out our guide to the best metatarsal pads, and don’t let sore feet get you down.

Causes of Forefoot Pain

Pain in the balls of the feet is common. However, it does not always have the same origins. If you suffer from foot discomfort, chances are you may have one of the following ailments.

• Metatarsalgia

  Metatarsalgia is a catch-all term for forefoot pain. It is often caused by excessive pressure on one area of the foot due to uncomfortable shoes. Metatarsalgia can also be caused by conditions such as collapsing arches, plantar plate rupture, or hallux limitus.

• Intermetatarsal Bursitis

  Bursitis is an inflammation of the bursae, or the fluid-filled sacs that cushion our tendons, ligaments, and muscles. They can become inflamed due to excessive pressure and friction. Since there are many bursae in the ball of the foot, this is a common problem. Bursitis of the feet can be particularly painful in the morning.

• Morton’s Neuroma

  Often caused by overly tight footwear or a collapsed metatarsal arches, Morton’s Neuroma is a thickening of the nerve in the forefoot. The condition is usually characterized by a shooting sensation between the third and fourth toes.

• Rheumatoid arthritis

  Rheumatoid arthritis affects joints in the body. Most individuals who suffer from the condition, experience some kind of foot discomfort with forefoot pain being common. Some symptoms of this inflammatory condition include swelling, tenderness, and stiffness.

• Plantar Warts

  Caused by the human papillomavirus, plantar warts usually affect the soles of the feet. While plantar warts are not dangerous, the grainy, hard, or fleshy growths can be very uncomfortable to walk on.

How to Place Metatarsal Pads in Your Shoes

Even though most metatarsal pads come with instructions they can be tricky to position. Here is a quick guide.

• Remove the insole from your shoe. If your footwear does not have insoles, stick the pads directly to your shoes.
• Place the pad on the insole. When doing this, it is a good idea to visualize the positioning of your forefeet.
• Peel the pad’s adhesive backing 1/4th of the way and slowly stick the pad to the insole.
• Put on the shoe. You should feel the pad press into the area just behind the ball of your foot. If the pad does not feel comfortable, remove it and place it in the right position.
• If the positioning is comfortable, remove the rest of the backing for a more permanent placement.
• Repeat this process on the other shoe.

Other Ways to Protect the Balls of Your Feet

Pain in the ball of the foot can be debilitating. Besides wearing metatarsal pads, here are just a few simple foot care measures you can take to alleviate discomfort.

• Rest Your Feet

  If you suffer from foot pain, it is a good idea to rest your feet whenever possible. Since metatarsalgia is often caused by placing too much pressure on your forefeet, it makes sense to avoid high-impact activities such as running until you get better. Placing an ice pack on your feet after a day of activities can alleviate some of the symptoms of metatarsalgia.

• Wear Comfortable Footwear

  Uncomfortable shoes can put your feet out of balance. High heels, in particular, push your weight onto your forefeet while you walk. As such, it is a good idea to invest in a comfortable pair of shoes with plenty of room for your toes while you are recovering from metatarsalgia.

• Exercise

  While it is definitely a good idea to take a break from high-impact activities while recovering from metatarsalgia, there are some low-impact exercises that can help. In fact, simple exercises such as scrunching up a towel with your toes can increase both strength and flexibility.

• Take Medication

  While this is not recommended as a long-term solution, taking over-the-counter painkillers, such as Ibuprofen, can help to alleviate the pain and inflammation of metatarsalgia. In very serious cases, your podiatrist may recommend taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or even steroid injections.

Weighing All the Factors

Taking into account versatility and value for money, Walkize’s metatarsal pads for women stand above the competition. Specifically designed for women who wear high heels, the adhesive pads are ideal for reducing pressure on the balls of the feet. Vesigo’s metatarsal sleeve pads and Envelop’s gel metatarsal pads are two other great options for alleviating foot pain.