Metatarsalgia (mid-foot pain)
When the feet are overtaxed, they react with pain when standing and walking. Women in particular suffer frequent pain in the front part of the foot. Because of the complex interaction of bones, muscles, nerves and tendons, it is often difficult to determine a single cause.
A natural rollover of the foot is possible in the kybun shoe/on the kybun mat and the foot can recover from the pain. The muscles and tendons are gently stretched and strengthened, and the joints mobilised.
Definition
Metatarsalgia is a general medical term for pain that arises in the mid-foot area, often related to loading, when the second to the fifth metatarsals (toes and related mid-foot bones) are affected. Disorders involving the first metatarsal are dealt with separately.
For a differential diagnosis, a distinction must be made between primary metatarsalgia with a local cause in the mid-foot area and secondary metatarsalgia associated with systematic symptoms (rheumatism, gout, arterial circulation disorders).
Causes
Possible causes:
- foot malpositions or weak foot musculature: ‘Flatfoot’, ‘forefoot muscle weakness’, ‘flattened transverse arch’, ‘splayfoot’
- Splayfoot deformity is clearly the most common in practice and can trigger various disorders in bones, joints and soft tissue.
- Disorders of the bones of the middle and front of the foot, the toe joints, the soft tissue and the toenails
- weak connective tissue
- high heels
- narrow, sturdy shoes
- severe loading
- being significantly overweight
- neurological: ‘Morton’s neuroma’, ‘forefoot neuralgia’
Possible causes of front-foot/mid-foot pain in the kybun shoe:
- Initial reactions in the kybun shoe: Overtaxation of the forefoot musculature or the transverse arch
- muscle tension: ‘clenching the toes’ (usually done unconsciously to stabilise the foot)
Long-term consequences
If no active therapy is undertaken to correct the foot malposition, it will become increasingly pronounced, leading to pain and complaints in other joints, such as the knees or hips, or the back.
Conventional therapy
- orthopaedic shoes with broad toe box
- special insoles
- truss pads (elevation at the forefoot built into the shoe)
- injection of a local anaesthetic and/or cortisone treatment
- regular foot physiotherapy exercises
- therapy
- operation
The kybun principle of operation – being proactive
The primary purpose of the kyBoot is to shift the forces that would otherwise be exerted on the back, hips and knees onto the feet. This relieves the back and the joints and relaxes tense muscles and increases the load on the feet. This is the correct thing to do because the primary forces should be in the feet when standing and walking.
In the kybun shoe, your foot can move naturally in all directions, training the core, stabilising musculature of each foot equally and improving foot mobility. The foot becomes more robust and stable, and foot malpositions that have arisen due to weak musculature are improved or corrected completely.
Only active, frequent foot training can counteract front-foot/mid-foot pain in the long term. Orthopaedic insoles provide only short-term improvement because they passively support the feet. They do not strengthen the feet; on the contrary, they continuously weaken them while overtaxing other joints.
Initial reactions
Specific initial reactions with metatarsalgia:
With mid-foot problems, the pain can increase initially during the healing process due to the redistribution of the forces exerted on the body. In these cases, we recommend Hallufix soles, which can be purchased here and from other retailers. We would be glad to provide more information and answer any questions you may have about using them.
Click here for the general initial reactions experienced by kybun mat and kybun shoe beginners: Initial reactions
kybun exercises
Application tips
- For those with greatly flattened transverse arches, we recommend using stiff, thin insoles for the forefoot area in the kybun shoe if pain develops. This reduces the softness of the kybun shoe sole slightly and gives the front of your foot a little added support.
- If the hard insole for the front of the foot from a shoe shop does not improve things, we recommend alternating between wearing the kybun shoe and ‘normal, hard shoes with orthopaedic insoles’ as your ‘active shoe’. This allows your foot to recover from active training in the kybun shoe before front-foot pain develops.
- Be sure to maintain an upright body posture and foot position in the kybun shoe/on the kybun mat. Look straight ahead and correct any lateral/medial rolling in the kybun shoe.
- Your feet should be able to move freely in the kybun shoe! Shoe size and model can make a critical difference. It is normal to feel less stable in the kybun shoe than you would in ‘normal’ shoes at first. Take your time when trying the kybun shoe on; your local kybun specialists will be pleased to assist you.
Relax your toes in the kybun shoe/on the kybun mat (it is common to unconsciously clench them) - Roll forward naturally over the entire foot (from the heel to the push-off with the big toe).
- Avoid taking steps that are too long so as to ensure that the joints bear a more correct axial load, which is less taxing. This also makes it easier to balance on the kybun shoe sole.
- Some people feel too unstable in the kybun shoe. In this case, we advise you to try various kybun shoe models; some models have a higher cut and provide more stability. We also recommend a kybun shoe model with a lower rebound effect to these customers. It is a little wider in the mid-foot area, making you feel safer while walking (ask for advice in a specialised kybun shop).
- If you still feel too unsafe walking in the kybun shoe, we advise using the kybun mat. The kybun mat is available in three different thicknesses. This allows you to choose the thickness that is most comfortable for you (the thicker, the less stable, and the more intensive the training).
You can also hold on to a fixed object if you need additional support when using the kybun mat.
Opinions/customer testimonials
Hello, my name is Susanne Bogedaly. I have been suffering from chronic plantar fasciitis in both of my feet as well as a heel spur in my left foot for about a year and a half. I tried just about everything I could, including all conventional therapy methods. The doctors said there was virtually nothing left for them to try. I tried using insoles and sensorimotor insoles, took pain medication and underwent shockwave therapy. In the end, I was under so much psychological strain, and nothing had helped. In my desperation, I decided to try one last thing. I came across the kybun shoe on the Internet and tried on a pair. I did some research and opted for this model. I am very impressed. It was my last hope, and it has enabled me to walk comfortably, like I’m walking on air, just the way it was described in the advertisement. It is perfect for me, because I’m a nursery teacher and need to be on my feet every day. I am standing for many hours every day, so I wear the shoes at work and also wear them as slippers at home. I have already place an order for the next model, which is the Arosa model. This is a black lace-up boot that comes up to here. It looks very elegant. I want to encourage everyone who is suffering a similar fate as I was and is in despair to simply try it out! It really is worth it. I am very impressed. I can walk again comfortably and almost without any pain. I will stick with the kybun shoe. I am very happy with it. I wish everyone the best and urge them not to give up!
