Metatarsal pads come in a wide variety of materials, but all are designed to do one thing: reduce your foot pain. Metatarsal pads are most commonly made from the following materials: Bursitis of the feet – Bursitis is an inflammation of the fluid filled sacs that cushion joints in the body. In the feet, it can manifest as achy, swollen joints with restricted motion. Bursitis is often most painful in the morning. A metatarsal pad, or met pad for short, is a common solution to forefoot pain. Recommended by podiatrists and other health care providers, the pads provide pain relieving support to the metatarsal bones. What are the Medical Causes of Forefoot Pain?

Wool or polyester felt – Less resilient and firmer than polyurethane foam, felt is best if very firm support is needed. However, felt can be slow to dry which can be a negative. Metatarsalgia – This term describes the general symptoms of forefoot pain. It is often used as a catch-all for forefoot ailments. This unique design uses Velcro to attach the met pad under the top surface of your insoles. It is designed to work with Tread Labs insoles for metatarsalgia. This system has the advantages listed above plus:If you have an insole or shoe that you're happy with, a met pad can be strategically placed to provide the best relief. Advantages if this design include: Plantar Warts – Caused by a virus, these warts are located on the soles of the foot. They are usually harmless and go away by themselves within a couple of years. They can however, be uncomfortable when they are in a weight bearing location. Tenderness on palpation of the metatarsal spaces with a positive Mulder’s test suggests Morton’s neuroma Forefoot pain can severely and negatively impact your life, causing discomfort not only when you're walking or running, but all throughout the day. In some cases, the pain can be so intense it renders you virtually immovable. You may even find yourself walking with a limp to account for the pain you're experiencing.

Karl Landorf, PhD, a senior lecturer and research coordinator in the Podiatry Department at La Trobe University says, "Patients with relatively uncomplicated forefoot pain will generally benefit the most from a met dome. In particular, anyone with pain under the middle metatarsal heads, and that includes both younger and older adults.” How Do Metatarsal Foot Pads Stay in Place?The exercises in this series of videos are suitable for most people in good health with a reasonable level of fitness. Sharp, burning or shooting pain near your toes (ball of your foot), feels like a lump or small stone under your foot

Michael Mueller, PT, PhD , division director of research in physical therapy at the Washington University Medical School of Medicine says, "It's all about the stress transfer, so what you’re trying to do is unload a certain spot on the foot—generally the met head with a met pad—and transfer it to a more proximal region." Boots Boots Ball of Foot Pads help to reduce pressure and friction on the ball of foot. Increased pressure, which occurs during standing, walking and running, may result in callussed, painful areas. By padding the area, the pressure is redistributed more evenly across the feet, helping to relieve any discomfort. The best metatarsal pads are ones that attach to your insole, rather than your foot, and are easily adjustable. You may need to adjust the met pad a few times to figure out the right spot for it, so velcro is better than adhesive. If you have diabetes, or problems with your circulation, ask your doctor or chiropodist before using this productModifications and adjustments are part of the game when dealing with met pads, and sometimes you need to rip them off and try something different for the best fit," says Ryan Robinson, CPed and former president of the Pedorthic Association of Canada. Be aware, however, that metatarsal support pads are not cushions located under the balls of your feet. Instead, they are strategically placed pads, just behind the balls of your feet. For some, getting the right placement can be trial and error.

As you put your shoes on each day, you will not peel the met pad from the insole. It is protected, below the top of the insole. Boots Ball of Foot Pads help to reduce pressure and friction on the ball of foot. Increased pressure, which occurs during standing, walking and running, may result in callussed, painful areas. By padding the area, the pressure is redistributed more evenly across the feet, helping to relieve any discomfort. Pain in the ball of your foot is known as metatarsalgia. You can usually ease the pain yourself. But see a GP if it does not improve. How you can ease pain in the ball of your foot yourself Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) – The forefoot is the most common place for RA to produce discomfort. RA is an inflammatory condition that affects joints in the body. Velcro does not lose its grip like adhesives, allowing for many adjustments without compromising the attachment.

Suspect sesamoiditis in patients with pain on resisted plantarflexion of the first metatarsophalangeal joint, and request sesamoid specific radiography views