Have Pain in the Ball of Your Foot? 2 Main Conditions Could Be to Blame

Pain in the ball of your foot, also known as the metatarsal area, is a common complaint that can significantly impact mobility and quality of life. This discomfort can range from a mild ache to a sharp, burning sensation, and it's essential to understand the potential causes to seek appropriate treatment. Explore with us at The Foot & Ankle Center of Maryland the 2 main conditions that can lead to pain in this area.

1. Metatarsalgia

Metatarsalgia is a general term used to describe pain and inflammation in the ball of the foot. It's not a specific disease but rather a symptom that can arise from various underlying causes.

Typically, you’ll experience aching, sharp, or burning pain in the ball of the foot, pain that worsens with standing, walking, or running. You may also feel as though you are walking on pebbles or experience numbness or tingling in your toes.

Metatarsalgia is typically caused by overuse, repetitive stress, constricting footwear like high heels, obesity, and aging.

There is also reason to believe foot deformities, such as high arches or flat feet, can create an uneven weight distribution and cause the ball of your foot to overcompensate. However, much of metatarsalgia can be attributed to heavy impact activity from various sports.

2. Morton's Neuroma

While metatarsalgia affects a generalized region, Morton's neuroma is a condition that refers to a more localized pain between the third and fourth toes. It is what happens when the nerve between these toes becomes inflamed, thus thickening the tissue surrounding that nerve.

You’ll feel burning, shooting, or stabbing pain in the ball of the foot, numbness, tingling, and that same unique feeling of having rocks stuck in your shoe. However, Morton’s neuroma is felt more between the toes.

Morton’s neuroma is also a nerve compression issue, so a lot of the causes are like those of metatarsalgia, with athletic or overuse origins. However, tight footwear is also a significant contributing factor.

3. Other Potential Causes of Ball-of-Foot Pain

While metatarsalgia and Morton's neuroma are common culprits, other conditions can also cause pain in this area, whether directly or from inflammation radiating into the ball of the foot:

• Capsulitis: Inflammation of the joint capsule at the base of the toes. This joint is crucial for walking, so when it’s inflamed, it can cause pain right where the toes meet the foot.

• Sesamoiditis: Since these small bones reside under the big toe joint, their inflammation can cause pain around the ball of the foot.

Other conditions, such as gout, neuropathy, and stress fractures, can all lead to discomfort in the ball of the foot.

Want to fix your foot and ankle problems? Contact the office of Dr. Ross Cohen of The Foot & Ankle Center of Maryland in Glen Burnie, MD, at (410) 761-3501 to schedule your initial appointment. We look forward to meeting you!