Ball of Foot Pain and What You Can Do About It

Ball of The Foot: Where is it?

The ball of foot area is the padded portion on the sole of your foot between the toes and the arch. It is at this area where the weight of the body sits when you raise your heel to push forward.

What Are the Causes of Pain In The Ball of the Foot?

There can be several causes of pain in the ball of foot. Some of these include:

Metatarsalgia – This is a common cause of ball of foot pain. Metatarsalgia is often triggered by nerve irritation or an abnormality in the bones or joints at the ball of the foot. Due to excess pressure, one or more of the metatarsal heads become inflamed, usually under the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th metatarsal heads.

Neuroma and Morton's Neuroma – This ball of foot condition usually affects the area around the 3rd and 4th toes and the pain may be of a shooting or burning nature. A growth of nerve tissue forms irritating the nerves.

Sesamoiditis – Sesamoids are tiny bones located under the first metatarsal head and are prone to overuse and inflammation. When this happens, ball of foot pain occurs.

Callus – Due to pressure and friction, the skin under the ball of foot thickens and forms a callus. Ball of foot callusing often occurs if the metatarsal heads have dropped.

Freiberg’s Disease – This is a condition where the tissue of the bones at the ball of foot dies. It usually occurs at the second metatarsal head (The base of the toe next to the big toe). Pain is most severe when bearing weight or pushing off with the foot.

Metatarsalphalangeal Joint Malalignment – This ball of foot issue may be caused by arthritis and can result in hammertoes. Metatarsalphalangeal joint misalignment can cause fat tissue that normally cushions the joints to be pushed forward and under the toes, taking away the cushion for impact on the metatarsal heads.

With ball of foot pain, having one issue often leads to the development of another. Due to pain, your walking cycle is often altered as well, which can lead to further symptoms in the feet or higher up at the knees, hips or back.

How are Ball of Foot Problems Treated?

Often for ball of foot issues, arch supports or foot orthotics are prescribed to help decrease the pain and improve foot alignment while removing pressure from the metatarsal heads. Arch supports or foot orthotics for this problem usually include a metatarsal pad for realigning the metatarsals or ball of foot area. Gel metatarsal cushions and metatarsal pads can also be tried to provide some comfort, but do not correct alignment like a foot orthotic.
 
Your choice of shoe is also extremely important. Ball of foot problems can develop in women more than men because of the shoes they wear. High heels force the foot into a tight space putting a lot of excess pressure on the ball of foot area. Try choosing shoes with a wider toe box and good support. A rocker-soled shoe is often effective when metatarsalgia or Morton's neuroma or freiberg's disease is the problem.

A corticosteroid injection is sometimes used to relieve ball of foot pain. Cryotherapy, which is application of intense cold, may be used for neuromas. As a last resort if all conservative methods are not effective, surgery may be required.

If you have ball of foot pain do not hesitate to see your doctor as it can make normal activities very uncomfortable. Also remember, as we get older, the fat pads in our feet tend to thin out, especially in the ball of foot area.  In so start looking after your feet now!

To see a few lines of foot orthotics that are recommended by certified pedorthists, Click Here: Arch Supports