Forefoot Pads Honeycomb Fabric Metatarsal Cushions Ball of Foot Cushion Pads for Women, 5 Colors (5 Pairs)

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If you have an insole or shoe that you're happy with, a met pad can be strategically placed to provide the best relief. Advantages if this design include: When positioned properly, metatarsal foot pads help to take some of the load off the balls of your feet. But make sure you're getting the right solution. Velcro does not lose its grip like adhesives, allowing for many adjustments without compromising the attachment.

The best metatarsal pads are ones that attach to your insole, rather than your foot, and are easily adjustable. You may need to adjust the met pad a few times to figure out the right spot for it, so velcro is better than adhesive.Metatarsal support pads work by reducing the pressure on the ball of your foot by supporting the metatarsal bone just behind the ball of your foot. By distributing some of the pressure to the shafts of the bones, the pads diminish the pressure on the balls of your feet.

When testing the various shapes on runners, researchers found the dome shape was the most effective met pad option for reducing pressure. The U-shaped pad was the second most effective, while the donut shaped pad didn't result in significant changes. Study participants found the met dome shape to be the most comfortable. Michael Mueller, PT, PhD , division director of research in physical therapy at the Washington University Medical School of Medicine says, "It's all about the stress transfer, so what you’re trying to do is unload a certain spot on the foot—generally the met head with a met pad—and transfer it to a more proximal region."This unique design uses Velcro to attach the met pad under the top surface of your insoles. It is designed to work with Tread Labs insoles for metatarsalgia. This system has the advantages listed above plus: Latex and leather – Leather is used to reinforce the softer latex material. Some people are allergic to latex materials and should avoid using this type of met pad. Bursitis of the feet – Bursitis is an inflammation of the fluid filled sacs that cushion joints in the body. In the feet, it can manifest as achy, swollen joints with restricted motion. Bursitis is often most painful in the morning.

Metatarsalgia – This term describes the general symptoms of forefoot pain. It is often used as a catch-all for forefoot ailments.

How Met Pads Relieve Forefoot Pain

Wool or polyester felt – Less resilient and firmer than polyurethane foam, felt is best if very firm support is needed. However, felt can be slow to dry which can be a negative. If you're bothered by pain in the balls of your feet, chances are you're suffering from one of a variety of ailments related to your metatarsal bones. Each of your feet has five metatarsal bones, and the forward ends of these bones form the “ball” of your foot. Proper support of these bones can relieve and prevent forefoot pain. Plantar Warts – Caused by a virus, these warts are located on the soles of the foot. They are usually harmless and go away by themselves within a couple of years. They can however, be uncomfortable when they are in a weight bearing location. Recommended by podiatrists and other health care professionals, metatarsal pads (met pads for short), provide pain relieving support to your metatarsal bones.