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Ball of Foot Pain

When people complain about pain in their feet, it is very common to find that this pain is localized in the part known as the ball of the foot. This is the “padded” portion at the bottom of the foot, just behind the toes. Pain in the ball of the foot is known generally as metatarsalgia. It is called this, because the pain is focused on the metatarsal region of the foot. The bones in the toes are called the phalanges and the bones in the back part of the foot are called the tarsals. In between exist five long bones in the middle part of the foot and these are called the metatarsals. And so, metatarsalgia quite literally means pain in the metatarsal region.

Overview

How can this condition come about? Pain in the ball of the foot is oftentimes caused by prolonged or excessive pressure on that portion of the foot. As a result, the metatarsal heads (the part of the metatarsal bones that connect to the phalanges) can become inflamed. This uncomfortable level of pressure is usually caused by improper footwear.

For instance, shoes and other footwear with “pointed” toes or narrow toe areas can force the ball of the foot into a smaller amount of space. This can not only cause some discomfort, but it can also have a negative impact on the walking process. Women who wear high heels, for instance, frequently experience metatarsalgia. There really is some truth to the stereotypical image of a woman taking off her high heels after a long day at work, and rubbing her feet due to the fatigue and pain she is experiencing.

Naturally, this kind of foot pain is not at all restricted to professional women wearing these kinds of shoes. All kinds of improper-fitting footwear can result in ball-of-foot pain, as well as imperfections in a person’s manner of walking, posture, and foot structure. The misalignment of the metatarsal bones can injure the surrounding tissue, joint lining, and cartilage.

Loss of cushioning in the area can result in chronic pain as well, particularly in the region behind the big toe. This is because there are two small sesamoid bones that are just under the first metatarsal head. It is this region of the foot that could be absorbing the greatest impact and experiencing the greatest deal of pressure when wearing inadequate shoes. High-impact activities without proper footwear can cause damage too.

If it is determined that the kinds of shoes a person is wearing are the root cause of the metatarsalgia, one of the simplest ways to alleviate the pain is to change the footwear. The condition can be greatly improved by switching to lower heels, shoes with wider toe areas, and shoes with better overall support and cushioning.



Custom Orthotics for Ball-of-Foot Pain

Another way to treat this kind of foot pain is to get a proper set of custom-fit orthotic shoe inserts. These custom orthotics will provide for a better alignment of the metatarsal bones while walking and participating in other kinds of activities. Orthotic inserts can unload much of the pressure that is exerted on the metatarsal region of the foot too, providing immediate relief and facilitating long-term recovery.

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