[Metatarsalgia: Differential diagnosis and therapy].

Metatarsalgia refers to localized or generalized forefoot pain in the region of the metatarsal heads. Symptoms can be isolated or in combination with accompanying deformities occurring in the forefoot and/or hindfoot. Anamnesis and clinical investigation usually yield to the diagnosis, the underlying cause on the other hand is not always easy to identify. In the foreground of the treatment is the exhaustion of conservative forms of therapy to minimize the symptoms of local pressure increase and callus under the metatarsal heads. In addition, various surgical methods are available, such as corrective osteotomy of the metatarsale bone, soft tissue interventions and the correction of associated deformities. The indications for surgical intervention should be made with caution in order to avoid failures and complaints persisting after surgery. The most common problems are an inadequate indication for surgery, technical problems and insufficient postoperative treatment.