How To Treat Metatarsalgia

Ice The Affected Area

Ice helps reduce inflammation, swelling, and pain from soft tissue injuries and is an appropriate treatment method for this condition. Doctors recommend applying ice to the affected area in cycles of twenty to thirty minutes each time. If needed, ice can be used up to five times a day, and it can be especially soothing immediately after exercise. Ice should always be used with a plastic bag or towel covering it and should not be applied directly to the skin due to the risk of burns. This is particularly important for patients with chronic conditions such as diabetes. If ice is not available, similar effects can be achieved with the use of cold packs or cooling gels with menthol. Cooling bandages are available and can be wrapped around the injured area to provide pain relief during rest or light exercise.

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Medications For Pain

A wide array of pain medications can be helpful in alleviating metatarsalgia symptoms. As with other overuse injuries, over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen, acetylsalicylic acid, and naproxen sodium can reduce pain and are particularly effective for early stages of the disorder. If necessary, higher doses are available with a prescription. Anti-inflammatories can cause serious side effects, including kidney and liver issues, so patients should use the lowest dose that effectively manages their pain. Adults should take a maximum daily dosage of no more than 1,200 milligrams of ibuprofen, 660 milligrams of naproxen, or 4,000 milligrams of acetylsalicylic acid. These medications should never be used for more than seven days without talking to a doctor, and any long-term use should be medically supervised. Some patients may obtain greater pain relief by combining several types of anti-inflammatory medicines, though it's crucial a doctor supervises this for appropriate combinations and dosages. It is especially important for a healthcare professional to be involved when medications are used in this manner, as doing so increases the risk of drug interactions and the severity of side effects.

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