Educational Articles

Metatarsal Pad Benefits

Posted By Marty Hughes, DC

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The above content is for educational or informational purposes only and is not intended to replace or augment professional medical instruction, diagnosis, or treatment. Read full disclaimer here.

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Comments
February 23, 2021
Marcie

Hi. Do metatarsal pads help with arthritis in the toes?

February 23, 2021
Natural Footgear

Hi, Marcie,

Thank you for your question! Indeed, metatarsal pads can be very helpful for people with arthritis of the toes, especially rheumatoid arthritis, which tends to selectively involve the metatarsophalangeal joints of the feet, often causing joint destruction. Other types of toe arthritis can also be helped by metatarsal pads and their ability to take on some of the weight-bearing load in the metatarsal arch, which can help reduce forces on the toes.

I hope you find this info helpful! Please let us know if you have any other questions we can assist with.

All the best,
Marty Hughes, DC

June 08, 2021
Shawn Franz

Are metatarsal pads used temporarily to help restore foot function? My podiatrist tells me that my transverse arch has collapsed and that I will need to use met pads for the rest of my life. Is it possible to restore the transverse arch through exercises and then ditch the met pads later on? Thanks.

June 08, 2021
Natural Footgear

Hi, Shawn,

Thank you for your questions! Some people do use metatarsal pads temporarily, as a way of getting out of acute ball of foot pain, but in general, we recommend that people simply incorporate the use of metatarsal pads into their daily foot care routine. Indeed, most people can benefit from the long-term use of metatarsal pads to restore optimal foot form and function, as well as for the other reasons mentioned in this article.

In our experience, we’ve found that a combination of Correct Toes toe spacers, foot-healthy footwear, and weight-bearing activity is often effective in restoring the transverse foot arch to its full potential. Of course, every set of feet (and every set of foot circumstances) is different, and what works for one person may not work for someone else. You might consider trying out this footgear combination to see if it’s a good match for you and your particular foot health considerations before committing to one approach or the other.

Please let me know if you have any follow-up questions! I’m happy to help out however I can.

All the best,
Marty Hughes, DC

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