The metatarsals are the long thin bones in the foot. The distal aspect or
head region of the metatarsals, or more commonly known as the ball of the
foot, is were the body absorbs much pressure/load during gait. Typically as
you are walking the pressure/load is received in this area after the heel lifts
off the ground. It remains in this area until just before your toes lift off the
supporting surface. This may seem like a short period of time but actually
measures in the range of 30%-35% of the gait cycle for one step. With one
metatarsal being plantarflexed or longer as shown below a significant amount
of body weight can be absorbed by one metatarsal. The load received can
equate to as much as two times one's body weight. Painful calluses can
develop or even stress fractures can result secondary to the increase in
pressure. The goal in treatment of this common foot deformity is to disperse
the weight out more evenly or to share the pressure more evenly with the
four other metatarsal heads.
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