Pain in the Ball of Your Foot? Could Be Metatarsalgia

Imagine five piano keys under the ball of your foot. These are your metatarsal bones. They absorb a lot of impact with every step you take. When that impact is unevenly distributed or when excessive pressure is placed on this area, metatarsalgia can develop.

Don’t worry, though! In the post below, the Foot & Ankle Associates of Cleveland breaks down three common causes of metatarsalgia and offers guidance on how to handle it, too.

3 Common Causes of Metatarsalgia

1. High-Impact Activities and Intense Training:

• The Culprit: Runners, dancers, and athletes in high-impact sports are particularly prone to metatarsalgia. Repetitive stress and forceful impact on the ball of the foot can inflame the tissues and even cause stress fractures.
• Why It Happens: Sudden increases in training intensity, inadequate warm-up, or improper technique can overload the metatarsals.
• Warning Signs:
  • Pain that worsens with activity and improves with rest.
  • A feeling of walking on a pebble or marble.
  • Sharp, shooting pain or numbness in the toes.

2. Foot Structure and Biomechanics:

• The Culprit: Certain foot types are more predisposed to metatarsalgia.
  • High Arches: High arches can place excessive pressure on the metatarsal heads.
  • Hammertoes or Bunions: These deformities can alter the alignment of the foot and increase pressure on the ball of the foot.
  • Morton’s Neuroma: A thickening of tissue around a nerve between the toes can also cause pain in the ball of the foot.
• Why It Happens: These structural issues alter the way weight is distributed across the foot, leading to increased stress on the metatarsals.
• Warning Signs:
  • Gradual onset of pain in the ball of the foot.
  • Pain that may be worse when wearing tight shoes or high heels.

3. Improper Footwear and Aging:

• The Culprit: High heels, shoes with thin soles, and the natural thinning of the fat pads on the soles of our feet as we age can all contribute to metatarsalgia.
• Why It Happens: High heels shift weight forward onto the ball of the foot, increasing pressure. Thin soles offer little cushioning, and the loss of natural fat padding reduces shock absorption.
• Warning Signs:
  • Pain that develops gradually over time.
  • A feeling of less cushioning in the ball of the foot.

What to Do

While podiatric solutions are rarely “one size fits all,” be sure to:

• Select Proper Footwear: Choose shoes with a wide toe box, ample cushioning in the forefoot, and good arch support. Replace worn-out pairs over time!
• Consider Custom Orthotics: A podiatrist can design custom orthotics to correct biomechanical imbalances and redistribute pressure.
• Limit High Heel Use: Reserve high heels for special occasions; choose lower heels or flats for everyday wear.

When to See a Podiatrist

Metatarsalgia is not something you have to live with. If it persists, worsens, or is accompanied by numbness or tingling, schedule an appointment with one of our podiatrists today!

Call Foot & Ankle Associates of Cleveland in Solon, Ohio, at (440) 903-1041 or contact us online to schedule a consultation. Dr. Craig B. Frey, Dr. Megan L. Oltmann, Dr. Jim Swienconek, Dr. Rachel Robinson, and Dr. Courtney Yoder treat patients in Portage, Geauga, Cuyahoga, and Summit Counties, proudly serving Solon, Aurora, Bedford, Chagrin Falls, Hudson, Macedonia, and Twinsburg, too.