What Causes Pain in the Ball of the Foot?

The forefoot is a third of the foot which is closest to the toes. Pain in this area, sometimes referred to as metatarsalgia, often centers on the ball of the foot and the toes. Causes include bunions or other misalignment of the toes, rheumatoid arthritis, or a buildup of calluses. Another common cause is sesamoiditis, an inflammation of two tiny bones near the toes, called sesamoids. This is often seen in dancers, runners, and athletes who apply pressure when flexing the toes. Morton’s neuroma is another cause, which damages nerves that run between the toes. Pain and a burning sensation from this condition is generally located between the 3rd and 4th toes. This is more common in women, especially those who wear high heels with pointy toes. Being overweight, stress fractures, and high arches can also contribute to metatarsalgia.  Forefoot pain usually gets worse when walking, standing, and running, or when the foot is flexed. To have your forefoot pain properly diagnosed, please visit a podiatrist.

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with one of our podiatrists from Illinois . Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Causes

Foot pain is a very broad condition that could be caused by one or more ailments. The most common include:

• Bunions
• Hammertoes
• Plantar Fasciitis
• Bone Spurs
• Corns
• Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
• Ingrown Toenails
• Arthritis (such as Gout, Rheumatoid, and Osteoarthritis)
• Flat Feet
• Injury (from stress fractures, broken toe, foot, ankle, Achilles tendon ruptures, and sprains)
• And more

Diagnosis

To figure out the cause of foot pain, podiatrists utilize several different methods. This can range from simple visual inspections and sensation tests to X-rays and MRI scans. Prior medical history, family medical history, and any recent physical traumatic events will all be taken into consideration for a proper diagnosis.

Treatment

Treatment depends upon the cause of the foot pain. Whether it is resting, staying off the foot, or having surgery; podiatrists have a number of treatment options available for foot pain.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Wheeling and Berwyn, IL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.