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What causes Metatarsophalangeal (MTP) Joint Pain?

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Pain in the metatarsophalangeal joint is a common musculoskeletal condition which is usually observed when abnormal foot biomechanics and long-standing stress deteriorates the anatomical balance of foot.

Metatarsophalangeal joints

Almost all cases of metatarsal joint pain presents with localized pain, difficulty in walking or just difficulty in maintaining normal day-to-day activities. Patients also report tenderness along the top and bottom surfaces of the foot with limited range of joint motion. Some cases of metatarsophalangeal joint pain are also associated with callus formation underneath the joint surface.

The most common presentation is symptoms are localized warmth, swelling and pain along with on the the bottom and top of the foot (plantar and dorsal aspects.) These symptoms indicate sub-acute or chronic joint inflammation, especially if they are located over a joint.

Certain risk factors can increase the risk of metatarsophalangeal joint pain:

Mortons neuroma Metatarsophalangeal joints
Metatarsalgia foot pain

What are some common causes of Metatarsophalangeal Joint Pain?

  1. Calluses: This is the most frequent cause of metatarsalgia and is also referred to as plantar calluses. These are mainly due to abnormal weight bearing and chronic exposure to pressure that results in inflammation of metatarsal head.
  2. Morton’s Neuroma: Morton’s neuroma is an entrapment neuroma of the plantar interdigital nerve. The pathophysiology of Morton neuroma revolves around persistent or ongoing irritation due to a narrow or poor choice of footwear leading to fibrosis of interdigital nerve and disturbing symptoms of pain, paresthesia and numbness. Third and fourth interdigital spaces are usually involved and diagnosis is mainly clinical.
  3. Mechanical disorders of MTP joint: Metatarsophalangeal joint pain (also referred to as metatarsalgia) can also be due to surface misalignment of connective tissue framework, resulting in a misalignment or subluxation of joints, plate tears or destruction of joint cartilage. The misalignment of joints can also lead to swelling and even permanent destruction of joints. The disease process most frequently involves the second metatarsophalangeal joint.
  4. Stress Fracture. The most common mechanical cause of MTP joint pain is stress fracture (especially of 3 and 4th metatarsal due to limited mobility). The diagnosis of stress fracture is tricky, since radiological examination is usually inconclusive.
  5. Capsulitis. Click here.
  6. Foot deformities such as hammer toe. A hammer toe or contracted toe is a deformity of the proximalinterphalangeal joint of the second, third, or fourth toe causing it to be permanently bent, resembling a hammer. Mallet toe is a similar condition affecting the distal interphalangeal joint.

Other less common causes are:

  • MTP Arthritis: Morning stiffness, joint rigidity and pain on weight bearing are some signs that are strongly suggestive of early rheumatoid arthritis.
  • MTP Synovitis: In osteoarthritic synovitis, patients present with swelling and localized warmth. In cases of inflammatory arthropathies, patients also reports swelling, warmth and redness with severe limitation of joint mobility due to pain and stiffness.

Diagnosis:

The diagnostic process involve two key elements:

  • Clinical evaluation: by a clinician experienced in foot pain. This comprises of a careful history taking and clinical examination. The Squeeze Test: This involves squeezing all the MTP joints together softly. If this causes pain, it suggests underlying joint inflammation.
  • Radiological evaluation: Xray, CT or MRI assessment to confirm the clinical diagnosis and to identify concurrent issues.
Metatarsalgia squeeze test

The presence of numbness, burning pain and tingling can indicate a neuralgia / neuroma as opposed to a mechanical cause of metatarsophalangeal joint pain. Likewise the presence of redness, warmth, swelling and edema are suggestive of an active infection.

Management and Treatment:

Treatment mainly revolves around the primary disease process. Injecting local anesthetic solution or corticosteroid can help to reduce inflammation.

Management also involves:

  • Orthotics: Orthoses are ideally recommended in the long term management of metatarsophalangeal joint pain. Custom-designed orthotics are helpful in relieving stress and pressure from the joints. Doctors recommend orthotics to correct the unusual bone and foot alignment. Modification of orthotics can also improve the motion of metatarsophalangeal joint and relieve pain.
  • Rest and relaxation: It is very important to limit the physical motion or activity in order to control the symptoms and to hasten the recovery.
  • Physical therapy and rehabilitative exercises: Controlled activity and carefully executed exercises help in tissue remodeling processes and ensure optimal connective tissue conditioning to shorten the duration of ailment.
  • Surgery is a last resort.

References:

  1. Powless, S. H., & Elze, M. E. (2001). Metatarsophalangeal joint capsule tears: an analysis by arthrography, a new classification system and surgical management. The Journal of foot and ankle surgery, 40(6), 374-389.
  2. Fink, B. R. (2011). Steps to take in managing metatarsalgia. Journal of Musculoskeletal Medicine, 28(9), 346.
  3. Guimarães, M. C., Yamaguchi, C. K., Aihara, A. Y., Hartmann, L. G., Pröglhöf, J., & Fernandes, A. D. R. C. (2006). Metatarsalgias: differential diagnosis with magnetic resonance imaging. Radiologia Brasileira, 39(4), 297-304.

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