
Good Health

Medical jargon buster: Metatarsal

WE HAVE five long bones in the middle of our feet called the metatarsal bones. They attach the ankle to the toes (the toe bones are called the ‘phalanges’), and run parallel to each other in an arch shape, mirroring the outside mould of the foot.

The word metatarsal comes from Medieval Latin: meta, meaning between; and tarsus from the Ancient Greek word tarsos, which described the sole of the foot.

The most common metatarsal injury is a ‘fifth metatarsal fracture’, describing a crack or break in the metatarsal bone on the outer edge of each foot, often sustained playing sport.

Another injury is metatarsalgia, a painful condition where the front of the sole of your foot — or the base of your toes — becomes inflamed. This can be caused by tight shoes or being overweight, which both put strain on the muscles and bones in the foot.

Treatment includes resting the foot, taking painkillers or using metatarsal pads — soft gel supports that are worn in your shoes to relieve pressure on the area.