Metatarsal pads – to skive or not to skive

Skiving provides a finished edge to the metatarsal pad – but does that matter?

What is skiving?

Metatarsal pads come in different shapes, sizes and densities.  One question often asked by customers is in regards to the beveled edge of the metatarsal pad.  The beveled or skived edge is a finishing technique that is used on felt, foam and gel metatarsal pads.  Skiving is performed at different stages of the production of the metatarsal pad.  For instance, felt metatarsal pads are mechanically skived after being cut from a solid roll of felt.  Foam met pads are skived in the mold where the foam pad is formed.

Is a skived metatarsal pad better?

The indications for use of a metatarsal pad will vary as will the type of metatarsal pad used; soft, firm, large small, etc.  In clinical practice, my go-to is typically a skived felt metatarsal pad.  I would use this pad to treat forefoot pain, Morton’s neuroma and forefoot capsulitis.  But if I was going to fashion a dancer’s pad out of a felt met pad, I’d prefer to use a non-skived pad.  The non-skived dancer’s pad would be used to treat a sesamoid fracture, sesamoiditis or avascular necrosis of the sesamoid. 

How to skive your own metatarsal pads.

The following steps show how easy it is to skive your own metatarsal pads.  Using a sharp pair os scissors, simply round out the edges of the felt or foam.  Metatarsal pads can also me modified in shape and size – all it takes is a little imagination and a good pair of scissors.

Join me in the discussion regarding metatarsal pads in our forum on forefoot problems.

Jeff

Jeffrey A. Oster, DPM

Medical Adviser
Myfootshop.com

Helpful Products

Metatarsal Pad - Felt

The Metatarsal Pad - Felt is a dense, adhesive-backed felt foot pad designed with a skived cut edge for relief from metatarsal and ball-of-foot pain, Morton's neuroma, metatarsalgia, forefoot calluses, sesamoiditis, and more. One size. By Myfootshop.com. 8/pkg.

As low as $11.01!

Metatarsal Pad - Foam

Metatarsal Pads - Foam are adhesive-backed pads that ease ball-of-foot and forefoot pain, sesamoiditis, metatarsalgia, and the numbness, tingling and burning associated with Morton's neuroma. Contains Latex. One size. By Myfootshop.com. 8/pkg.

As low as $11.01!

Dancer's Pads - Premium Foam

Dancer's Pads - Premium Foam are soft, adhesive-backed cushions that relieve toe joint and sesamoid pain by off-loading weight from the forefoot and great toe joint. Right/left specific. By Myfootshop.com. 4/pkg.

As low as $11.01!

Neuroma Pads - Mini Felt

Mini Felt Neuroma Pads are small, spot-specific cushions for pain, numbness, and tingling in the forefoot. These tiny, teardrop-shaped met pads spread the bones at the base of the toes to relieve symptoms of Morton's neuroma and metatarsalgia. Adhesive-backed. By Myfootshop.com. 8/pk.

As low as $8.46!