Metatarsalgia is a symptom, not a diagnosis. A careful study of
ninety-eight patients who had complaints of pain in the fore part of the
foot revealed twenty-three distinct diagnoses. These diagnoses were grouped
as primary metatarsalgia, secondary metatarsalgia, and pain under the fore
part of the foot. This division assisted in determining the form of
nonoperative or operative treatment. The use of a pressure-sensitive
cholesterol-crystal force-plate analysis or intra-articular or digital
nerve blocks was helpful both in accurately pinpointing abnormal pressures
and in determining whether operative treatment had been effective.
Unexpected problems occurring after metatarsal surgery may be preventable
in the future.