What’s Causing My Ball of Foot Pain?
One thing is certain for those who suffer from ball of foot pain; quality of life is greatly diminished as normal activities become painful. Pain that occurs in the ball of the foot (also known as metatarsalgia) can have various causations, including poor circulations, arthritis, injury, pinched nerves, problems with posture, or disease.
The most painful ball of foot conditions are typically the result of nerve damage or due to an abnormality in the metatarsal joints that are nearest to the balls of the feet. It is possible to have more than one cause of ball of foot pain; in fact, when a person develops a disorder that causes pain in this area, it is often a contributing factor of another disorder that will cause discomfort in the same location.
Let’s look more closely at three of the most common causes of ball of foot pain.
- Ball of Foot Pain Causes and Treatment – Nerve Damage
As mentioned above, damage to the nerves in the foot (also known as interdigital nerves) is often the cause of much of the ball of foot pain in most patients, or at least the initial root cause that might lead to other disorders in the joints located there. Oftentimes, this nerve damage is the result of irritation or growths (noncancerous, benign) that occur on the nerves. Pain on the ball of foot that is caused by nerve damage is sometimes referred to as interdigital nerve pain.
A typical symptom of ball of foot pain caused by nerve damage is a mild ache around the 3rd or 4th toe that later progresses to a tingling or burning sensation. Nerves supplies to the bottom of the foot and the toes travel between the toe’s bones, which is why the ache is usually felt in this specific region of the foot. Diagnosing nerve damage requires a doctor’s examination and review of the patient’s medical history.
Treatment for this type of ailment that causes pain in the ball of the foot is usually cortisone injections or cryotherapy (extreme cold).
- Ball of Foot Pain Causes and Treatment – Freiberg’s Disease
Another common cause of ball of foot pain is Freiberg’s Disease. Freiberg’s Disease is basically necrosis or tissue death of parts of the joints that make up the ball of the foot, typically in the second toe (next to the big toe). Freiberg’s Disease is usually a consequence of injury to the bone in this area, seen more often in girls during puberty who are growing rapidly or in people who suffer from an abnormally short base of their big toe. Either case subjects the metatarsal head to excess stress.
In Freiberg’s Disease, pain is often worsened when the sufferer puts their weight on the area, such as when wearing certain types of shoes (like high heels) or when pushing off with the feet. The joints in the ball of the foot may become stiff and swollen in cases of Freiberg’s Disease – but proper diagnosis requires the opinion of a medical professional who may order x-rays or other exams. Again, pain relief for this type of ball of foot pain is typically inclusive of corticosteroid injection – or by the use of a cast or splint.
If you have Freiberg’s Disease, your doctor will likely recommend that you wear only shoes with low heels, use inserts in your shoes, or may even prescribe a special orthotic device that will affect the positioning and range of movement in the foot when you have shoes on.
- Ball of Foot Pain Causes and Treatment – Metatarsophalangeal Joint Misalignment
Metatarsophalangeal joint misalignment may be caused by rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis, and one of the outcomes of this condition is commonly referred to as “hammer toes”. Metatarsophalangeal joint misalignment can happen when fat tissue that normally cushions the joints when weight is placed on them is pushed forward and under the toes. This loss of cushioning can, in turn, lead to nerve damage (as discussed earlier) in the ball of the foot as well.
Metatarsophalangeal joint pain in the ball of the foot often begins in the area of the big toe and many people suffering from this condition may have a noticeable abnormal gait when walking. This condition can become debilitating enough to cause disability, and is very painful.
Treatment for Metatarsophalangeal joint misalignment usually involves foot orthoses that are employed to redistribute body weight away from the affected joints. Surgery may be another option to correct the condition when it becomes severe and is not resolved with the use of orthotics.
