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Ball of Foot Pain

Pain in the ball of the foot, the padded area just behind the toes, is often described as walking on a stone or a fold in your sock. It tends to build gradually, is worse on hard floors or in thin-soled shoes, and can make long days on your feet miserable.

The most common cause is overload of the joints at the base of the toes, called metatarsalgia. Other problems can feel very similar, including a Morton's neuroma, a stress fracture, an inflamed joint, or a painful callus, which is why the diagnosis matters before the treatment does.

What causes it

Metatarsalgia usually comes from too much pressure landing on one part of the forefoot. Foot shape plays a large role, including high arches, a long second toe, and bunions or hammertoes that shift weight onto the ball of the foot. High heels, thin or worn-out shoes, a tight calf, and a sudden increase in walking or running all add to it. The natural fat pad under the ball of the foot also thins with age, leaving less cushion.

What your visit looks like

Your visit starts with an exam to find exactly which joint or structure is sore, and X-rays are taken here in the office to check for a stress fracture or joint problem.

Most ball of foot pain responds well to conservative care. Depending on the cause, that can include padding to take pressure off the painful area, better shoes, custom orthotics to spread weight more evenly across the foot, and an injection for an inflamed joint. We will tell you what to expect instead of leaving you to guess.

When to come in

Ball of foot pain that lasts more than a couple of weeks, keeps you from walking comfortably, or comes with swelling or bruising after activity is worth having looked at. Swelling on the top of the foot after a change in activity can be a sign of a stress fracture.

If you are diabetic or have neuropathy, pressure on the ball of the foot can lead to sores that are easy to miss, so it is worth having your feet checked.