“I still have permanent pain in the balls of my feet,” Deborah Meaden revealed. Known as metatarsalgia, the condition came about after she spent “10 hours a day waltzing” in preparation for Strictly Come Dancing. The businesswoman entered the dancing competition in September 2013 – nearly eight years ago. Yet in 2018, when speaking to Closer magazine, Deborah referenced the foot pain as “a constant reminder that [she] did the show”.
In addition, high heels or tight pointy shoes are not recommended, as they can make the pain worse.
Depending on the symptoms, foot pain can be indicative of different conditions.
For example, after intense or repetitive exercise, symptoms of a sprained metatarsal include:
- Pain
- Swelling
- Bruising
If there’s a sharp, burning or shooting pain near the toes (i.e. the balls of the foot), it could be Morton’s neuroma.
This could also be true when the painful symptoms are accompanied by a lump felt under the foot.
If the foot area is red and swollen, and there’s a dull aching pain it could be bursitis or arthritis.
Any hard, bony lump near the big toe is considered a bunion, why may also hurt.
If you’re having foot pain that doesn’t improve with any self-care measures, do book an appointment with your GP.
Meanwhile, Deborah hasn’t allowed her foot pain to affect her everyday life.
In fact, she’s confessed to be doing “quite a lot” of business on her Twitter page.
During lockdown, Deborah even went on air with former Made In Chelsea stars Jamie Laing and Spencer Matthew on their 6 Degrees podcast.
Deborah Meaden will be back on a new series of BBC One’s Dragon’s Den, Thursday April 1 at 8pm.
