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Metatarsalgia The inside story. Greg Quinn FCPodS Podiatric Surgeon. Pain has a message. Once we get the pain's message , and follow its advice , the pain goes away .
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MetatarsalgiaThe inside story Greg Quinn FCPodS Podiatric Surgeon
Pain has a message. Once we get the pain's message, and follow its advice, the pain goes away.
“The postural erect attitude of man as a bipedal animal renders his species advantaged within his natural environment.” A N Forsythe Anthropologist; 1873 “I know exercise is good for me. I also need to work, eat and socialise; so that’s why I always make a point of walking to the car, the kitchen and the pub.” Mr E. White Podiatry patient; 2004
“It is better to die on your feet than live on your knees!” • Emiliano Zapata
The Surgical Sieve • Congenital • Infectious • Metabolic • Traumatic • Neoplastic • Iatrogenic • Idiopathic • Biomechanical Can I Manage To Nap If I’m Busy?
Congenital • Metatarsus Adductus • TalipesEquinus Varus • Flexible Flat Foot • Vertical talus • Major malformations
Infectious • Bacterial • Viral • Fungal
Metabolic • Inflammatory arthritis e.g. RA, Gout, psoriasis • Ischaemic Vascular disease
Idiopathic I just don’t know why is this happening
Biomechanical • Capsulitis • Morton’s neuroma • Intractable plantar keratoses • Hallux valgus/rigidus • Lesser toe deformity • Muscle imbalance
Significant History Pain: onset/character/site/variation Associated signs: skin lesions/swelling/changing toe position/joint stiffness
X-Rays can help soft tissue changes joint space change/degeneration fracture MTPJ alignment & parabola
Metatarsal Abnormality Dorsiflexed Elongated Plantarflexed Shortened Hypertrophic condyles 1st ray hypermobility
Diagnosis Avascular necrosis Tumour Foreign body Infection Fracture Lesser MTPJ instability Capsulitis (+/- degeneration) Neuroma Immobilisation &/or Surgery Padding Orthotics Shoe mod’s Injection NSAID’s
What the foot delivers via autosupport Medial loading with controlled arch deformation (pronation/1st ray elevation) Recovery to stabilise arch (even pressure distribution) Propulsion through 1st Ray with heel lift (hip, knee & spinal extension)
Potential confounding variables Variable bone configuration (arch heights) Variable alignment (within body planes) Variable adaptability to early walking (plasticity in joint ROM) Variable neuromuscular control (movement pathway/strength/endurance)
Potential confounding variables Why didn’t we just evolve like this?
Phenotype does not follow genotype (what we look like is governed by regulatory genes)
Question: What does this tell us? Answer: Foot structure varies within and between populations.
What significant things vary? Variable bone configuration (arch heights) Variable alignment (within body planes) Variable adaptability to early walking (plasticity in joint ROM) Variable neuromuscular control (movement pathway/strength/endurance)
All feet possess important common structures that: • Combine to deliver loading and propulsive motion • Show inherited variation in their proportions and alignments • Vary in their capacity to respond to weight-bearing • Accordingly demonstrate patterns of movement that can create symptoms
Consider what we know High varus angles increase difficulty to load the medial column. The higher the arch the greater need for pronation At our disposal: pronation, flexibility & foot placement angle Collectively real patterns emerge!
High arch/inverted heel/hypomobile Other symptoms include: Lateral ankle sprain Sesamoiditis Genurecurvatum
Medium arch/inverted heel/hypomobile Other symptoms include: Retrocalcaneal bursitis Pinch callus medial hallux Lateral hip pain
Low arch/vertical heel/hypermobile Other symptoms include: Functional hallux limitus/HAV Posterior tibial tendinitis Plantar fasciitis
Medium arch/inverted heel/hypomobile/inverted forefoot Other symptoms include: Shin splints Cuboid pain Medial knee pain
Flat arch/everted heel/hypermobile/inverted forefoot Other symptoms include: Tarsal tunnel syndrome Posterior tibial dysfunction Plantar fasciitis