Definition and classification of metatarsalgia

• Published in: Foot and Ankle Surgery Vol. 9; no. 2; pp. 79 - 85
• Main Authors: Bardelli, M, Turelli, L, Scoccianti, G
• Format: Book Review Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier Ltd 2003; Elsevier
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Diseases of the osteoarticular system; Foot diseases; Foot pain; Forefoot pain; Medical sciences; Metatarsalgia; Forefoot pain; Metatarsalgia; Foot pain; Foot diseases; Pain; Disease; Classification; Rheumatology; Definition; Foot
• ISSN: 1268-7731; 1460-9584
• DOI: 10.1016/S1268-7731(02)00002-4

A comprehensive classification of metatarsalgia is proposed, including metatarsalgias caused by systemic or extraregional disease, regional diseases and biomechanical disorders. In accordance with this classification, epidemiological data about metatarsalgia and its causes are given on the basis of 878 cases of metatarsalgia observed during a 1 year office practice.
Metatarsalgia is the most frequent cause of foot pain (eight times more frequent than pain elsewhere in the foot in our experience) and a thorough understanding of its multivariate etiology and pathogenesis is of utmost importance for any clinician dealing with foot disorders.
This matrix, moreover, offers a tool for classifying all types of metatarsalgia, by means of an alphanumeric system, in a way useful for both analytical and clinical purposes.