The midfoot is - as the name suggests - the middle part of the foot. It extends between the toes and the tarsus and is made up of the five metatarsal bones. Various changes can occur in the metatarsus. All abnormalities are manifested primarily by pain in the metatarsus, both at rest and when walking. In some cases, even metatarsal fractures may occur. What is the exact structure of the metatarsal bones and what pathologies may affect this part of the human body?

The metatarsus is the middle part of the foot. The human foot is a much more complex structure than could potentially be assumed. It consists of 26 bones, 33 joints are distinguished within it, and it is strengthened by over 100 different ligaments. The foot is divided into three parts, which are the toes, the metatarsus and the tarsus. The metatarsus consists of 5 bones. The first one is the most durable and connects to the big toe.

Metatarsus: bones

Within the metatarsal there arefive bones , which are referred to as the metatarsal bones. The most characteristic feature here is the first metatarsal bone, which is characterized by the fact that it is the shortest and it has tuberosity in its plantar part.

The longest of all metatarsal bones is the second. The fifth metatarsal bone also differs from other bones as it has a specific tuberosity at the base.

The first metatarsal bone is located in the medial part of the metatarsal, the last in its lateral part. Each of the five metatarsal bones has three parts which are the base, shaft, and head.

Metatarsus: joints and ligaments

Metatarsal bones connect to the rest of the foot via numerousjoints and ligaments .

There are, for example,tarso-metatarsal joints , which connect the metatarsal bones with the wedge bones and the cubic bone.

These joints are strengthened by:

  • interosseous spheno-metatarsal ligaments
  • and dorsal and plantar tarsometatarsal ligaments.

In the front of the metatarsus, there aremetatarsophalangeal joints , which connect the heads of the metatarsal bones with the phalanges closer to the toes. Thistype joints are strengthened by three types of ligaments, which are:

  • plantar ligaments,
  • cross
  • and minor.

The metatarsal bones connect to not only the other bones that make up the foot, but also to themselves. These joints are known asmetatarsal . This is how the second, third, fourth and fifth metatarsal bones connect.

These joints are also strengthened with ligaments, which are:

  • metatarsal interosseous ligaments,
  • dorsal
  • and sole.

Metatarsus: metatarsal disease and pain

Metatarsal pain

The most common pain in the metatarsus ispain in the metatarsus . In fact, there are a number of different phenomena that may be responsible for pain in the metatarsus.

It can often be felt by pregnant women, but also people with excess body weight or people who work in a standing position. It also happens that pain in the metatarsus is felt by people who practice various sports intensively (e.g. running).

Metatarsal fracture

The transient pain in the metatarsus may not be a cause for concern. However, when this ailment persists for a long time, consultation with a doctor becomes necessary. Long-lasting pain in this area of ​​the body may be a result ofmetatarsal bone fracture . The most common fracture is the fifth metatarsal.

In addition to pain, patients can also observe the occurrence of swelling or bruising of the metatarsal skinin this area of ​​the body . Bruising may occur when the metatarsal bone is fractured and therefore some soft tissues of the foot are damaged.

Other causes of metatarsal pain

Fractures are not, however, the only pathology that may involve the metatarsus. Other he alth problems that may affect this area of ​​the human body include:

  • Morton's metatarsalgia (which results from compression of the transverse ligament of the foot on the plantar nerve),
  • degenerative changes within the metatarsal bones,
  • rheumatoid arthritis,
  • gout,
  • peripheral neuropathies.

A very common manifestation of metatarsal pathologies is alsorestriction of foot mobilityand the relateddifficulties with walking .

Metatarsus: fractures

Generally there arethree types of metatarsal fractures :

Jones break

A Jones fractureis a type of fracture of the fifth metatarsal bone at the end of the metatarsal, which may occur with an abnormalputting your foot to the side. Unfortunately, fractures of this type have a poor healing tendency, as they occur in the area of ​​the bone that is characterized by a relatively poor blood supply.

Avulsion fractures

The second type of metatarsal fracture isavulsion fractures , which are sometimes referred to as tennis fractures.

They concern the detachment of a small, posterior fragment of the metatarsal bone and can happen during tennis games. Usually when a player runs to the ball and stops suddenly.

Fatigue fractures

The third type of metatarsal bone fractures are fractures with a rather unusual name - they are referred to as fatigue fractures.

These fractures take place within the shafts of bones. Usually they are the result of multiple micro-injuries, which can be the result of, for example, intense physical activity.

  • Foot pain - causes. What disease is manifested by foot pain?
  • Pain in the foot after running: causes. Remedies for foot pain after running
  • Burning feet - causes of burning feet. A burning foot pain may be a symptom of an illness
  • Flat feet in children - how to prevent its development

Category:

Anatomy