2) Why Does the Ball of My Foot Hurt?
Pain in the ball of your foot can make walking, running, exercising or even standing uncomfortable. You may notice a sharp, burning, aching or bruised feeling underneath the front of your foot.
But what actually causes pain in the ball of the foot?
At Frenchs Forest Foot Clinic, we regularly assess and treat forefoot pain and can help identify the underlying cause.
What is the ball of the foot?
The ball of your foot is the area underneath the front of your foot, just behind your toes. It contains the ends of the long metatarsal bones, joints, nerves, tendons and soft tissues.
This area absorbs a significant amount of pressure every time you walk or run, so it can become irritated or overloaded.
Common causes of ball-of-foot pain
1. Metatarsalgia
Metatarsalgia is a general term for pain and inflammation around the metatarsal area.
It can feel like you’re walking on a small stone or have a bruise underneath your foot. Pain may become worse when walking, running or standing for long periods.
Factors that can contribute include increased activity, footwear, foot mechanics and excessive pressure through the forefoot.
2. Morton’s neuroma
Morton’s neuroma involves irritation and thickening of tissue around one of the nerves between the toes.
Typical symptoms include:
- Burning or shooting pain
- Tingling or numbness
- Pain between the toes
- Feeling like there is a pebble or lump inside your shoe
- Symptoms that worsen in tight or narrow shoes
It most commonly occurs between the third and fourth toes.
3. Calluses and corns
Hard skin and corns can develop where there is excessive pressure or friction.
Although they may appear to be a skin problem, their location can sometimes provide clues about how pressure is being distributed through your foot.
4. Arthritis
Arthritis affecting the joints around the forefoot can cause pain, stiffness and reduced movement.
You may notice that the foot becomes particularly uncomfortable after periods of activity or when wearing certain shoes.
5. Stress injuries
Increasing your walking, running or sporting activity too quickly can place excessive load on the bones of the foot.
A stress injury may cause increasingly localised pain that gets worse with activity.
Persistent or significant pain should be assessed rather than simply pushed through.
6. Foot biomechanics
The way your feet function when you stand and walk can influence how much pressure is placed through the ball of your foot.
Issues such as changes in arch function, limited ankle movement or altered walking mechanics may contribute to excessive forefoot loading.
Can shoes cause pain in the ball of your foot?
Absolutely.
Shoes that are too tight, narrow or have inadequate cushioning can increase pressure around the toes and forefoot.
High heels can also increase the amount of body weight transferred towards the ball of the foot.
If your pain is worse in particular shoes but improves when you take them off, your footwear could be contributing to the problem.
What can I do for ball-of-foot pain?
Depending on the cause, treatment may include:
- Changing or modifying footwear
- Reducing activities that aggravate the pain
- Foot and calf exercises
- Stretching and strengthening
- Padding or offloading the painful area
- Addressing calluses or corns
- Orthotics where appropriate
- Shockwave therapy for selected soft-tissue conditions
- Advice on gradually returning to sport or exercise
The most appropriate treatment depends on why your foot hurts in the first place.
Do I need orthotics?
Not necessarily.
Orthotics can sometimes help redistribute pressure away from painful areas of the forefoot and improve foot function.
However, they’re not the right solution for everyone. A podiatry assessment can determine whether your foot mechanics are contributing to your symptoms and whether orthotics may help.
When should I see a podiatrist?
Consider getting your foot assessed if:
- Your pain has lasted more than a couple of weeks
- The pain keeps returning
- You have burning, tingling or numbness
- You feel like you’re walking on a pebble
- You have significant swelling
- You can’t exercise normally
- Your pain is getting progressively worse
- Changing shoes hasn’t helped
Don’t ignore pain in the ball of your foot
Ball-of-foot pain isn’t something you simply have to put up with. Finding the underlying cause can help you choose the right treatment and prevent the problem from interfering with your walking, work or sport.
At Frenchs Forest Foot Clinic, we assess forefoot pain, metatarsalgia, Morton’s neuroma, footwear and biomechanics to determine what’s causing your symptoms and develop an appropriate treatment plan.
Experiencing pain in the ball of your foot?
Building 7, Suite 1/49 Frenchs Forest Rd East, Frenchs Forest NSW 2086
02 9453 4400
www.fffc.com.au
Book an appointment with Frenchs Forest Foot Clinic and let us help you get back on your feet.