A stone bruise is a pain in the ball of your foot. The infected area can include the toes up to where the foot arches. Due to misalignment and compression of nerve endings, characteristics include inflammation and pain in the affected area. There is rarely discoloration, even though it is called a bruise.
Stone Bruise Cause and Treatment
The most common cause of a stone bruise injury is unexpectedly stepping on an object, such as a pebble or LEGO. Discomfort may be felt immediately or develop over the course of 24-48 hours. Since we spend so much time on our feet conducting day to day business, the continual ache can be quite irritating. The best way to heal a stone bruise is simply to rest and ice.
Metatarsalgia imitates stone bruises in that they both have inflammation and pain in the ball of your foot. As such, it is frequently mistaken for a stone bruise.
Metatarsalgia Cause and Treatment
Metatarsalgia affects athletes, such as runner and gymnasts, whose activities involve frequent contact with the ground of surface carries a lot of force behind it. Oher causes include obesity, improper footwear including high heels, diabetes, and arthritis.
Typically, a podiatrist will diagnose and recommend treatment for metatarsalgia. They’ll take X-Rays, discuss your activity level and observe your walking. Treatments include rest and at-home techniques to reduce inflammation. Methods such as icing the area, raising the foot above heart level, and wearing flat padded shoes are all effective.
If you’re experience discomfort in the ball of your foot and think you might have persistent metatarsalgia, contact us today. In some cases the pain is a manifestation of a more serious issue.