Pain in the Ball of the Foot!!

Pain in the Ball of the Foot

Pain in the ball of the foot can have multiple causes, but is usually due to some issue with the way the foot is shaped. The ball of the foot is the place where the long bones of the foot (the metatarsals) meet the bases of the toes. This area endures a great deal of strain as the foot pushes off the ground during the motion of walking. This strain is increased even further when one's foot veers towards a flat structure or to a high arched structure. In either scenario, through differing reasons, the foot suffers through increased pressure to the ball of the foot, leading to injury of the tissue that surrounds the joints in the ball of the foot, the bones themselves, or the nerves that run in between the bones. The skin can even become affected by this increased pressure, as painful calluses can develop.

Treatment of pain in the ball of the foot involves first identifying what tissue is actually injured, and then identifying the underlying abnormality with the foot's structure. A combination treatment of inflammation-reducing medication and therapy, and increased structural support from arch support inserts and better supportive shoes is then initiated to relieve the pain. Treatment in the office is usually effective, with only a small number of people requiring surgical intervention to cure the underlying problem.

Don't let pain in the ball of the foot stop you from staying active. Call our office today so our doctors can cure this condition and get you back on your feet pain-free!