Pain in the ball of the foot, known as metatarsalgia, occurs when excessive pressure or structural changes affect the metatarsal bones. These five long bones located just behind the toes help support the body's weight and movement. Factors such as high-impact activities, wearing tight or high-heeled shoes, stress fractures, arthritis, and foot deformities can cause pain in the ball of the foot. Symptoms include a sharp or aching pain that worsens with standing or walking, a sensation of walking on pebbles, numbness, or tingling in the toes. A podiatrist can evaluate your foot through a physical exam and imaging tests to determine the source of the pain. Treatment may involve taking pressure off of the metatarsal area, prescribing custom orthotics, suggesting footwear modifications,  or immobilizing the foot in the case of fractures. If conservative treatments do not relieve symptoms, surgery may be needed to address bone misalignment, nerve irritation, or joint damage. If you have pain in the ball of your foot, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for a diagnosis and appropriate treatment options.

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with Dr. Michael A. Wood from Foot Health Institute. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Causes

Foot pain is a very broad condition that could be caused by one or more ailments. The most common include:

• Bunions
• Hammertoes
• Plantar Fasciitis
• Bone Spurs
• Corns
• Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
• Ingrown Toenails
• Arthritis (such as Gout, Rheumatoid, and Osteoarthritis)
• Flat Feet
• Injury (from stress fractures, broken toe, foot, ankle, Achilles tendon ruptures, and sprains)
• And more

Diagnosis

To figure out the cause of foot pain, podiatrists utilize several different methods. This can range from simple visual inspections and sensation tests to X-rays and MRI scans. Prior medical history, family medical history, and any recent physical traumatic events will all be taken into consideration for a proper diagnosis.

Treatment

Treatment depends upon the cause of the foot pain. Whether it is resting, staying off the foot, or having surgery; podiatrists have a number of treatment options available for foot pain.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Lansing, and Chicago, IL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.