Ball of the Foot Pain
Ball Of Foot Pain [Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis & Best Home Treatment!]
Ball Of Foot Pain causes are #1)Metatarsalgia, #2)Morton’s Neuroma, #3)Hammer Toes, #4)Plantar Plate Tears & #5) Fat Pad Atrophy. Use the BEST Treatment!
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- Ball of the foot pain is one of the most common foot problems we see!
- It is too much pressure on the front of your foot, in it can lead to over five common problems.
- We have seen over 10,000+ cases of this. Let us help.
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Table of Contents
Pain in ball of foot and big toe treatment video:
Pain in the ball of my foot causes:
Ball of the Foot Pain Pictures & Photo Gallery:
Look:
- Metatarsalgia: which means generalized foot pain without a specific cause.
- Second toe capsulitis: this is the inflammation of the second toe joint capsule.
- Capsulitis is related to hammertoe formation, and can lead to a plantar plate tear. There is some overlap between these three disorders. As they get worse tearing and ligament damage can occur.
- Morton’s neuroma: this is the damage and inflammation to the nerves between and underneath the metatarsal joints.
- Fat pad atrophy of the ball of the foot: this is the loss of cushioning in the ball the foot.
- Plantar Plate Tear: A plantar plate tear is ripping of the ligaments holding the toe together.
So, click on the photo gallery to see the specific causes of your ball of the foot pain!
Click on the photo gallery to see the specific causes of your ball of the foot pain!
Why Does The Ball Of My Foot Hurt?
- The ball of the foot usually hurts due to too much pressure on the front of the foot.
- As listed above, this can lead to numerous conditions, but they are all made worse by more pressure.
- Usually, about 1/3rd of each step should be during push-off, but if the calf and hamstring are tight, this could be higher.
- So more time spent on the ball of the foot will cause more ball of the foot pain!.
Ball Of Foot Pain Running:
- Like above, running also increases the time spent on the ball of foot push-off.
- Each step leads to an impact of 3-4x of your body weight!
- The problems listed below will be magnified while running.
- This magnified pain is made even worse if the hamstrings, calves, and plantar fascia are tight.
- The pain isn’t just during running but maybe a warning of a deeper cause.
Pain In The Ball Of The Foot Problems:
There are numerous causes of the ball of foot pain:
1) Metatarsal-phalangeal Joint Pain:
- Don’t let the huge name scare you!
- This is just generalized pain located in the ball of the foot.
- Sometimes the only real cause is increased pressure.
Metatarsal-phalangeal Join Pain Treatment:
- This focuses on offloading the ball of the foot.
- It also focuses on stretching out the posterior muscle groups.
- This leads to a decrease in the ball of foot pressure.
2) Morton’s Neuroma:
- This can cause numbness, burning, and tingling.
- This is usually around the 3rd and 4th toes.
- The bottom of the toes may be numb.
- You may even feel an itchy ball of your foot.
- There may be a clicking noise often associated with this.
Morton’s Neuroma Home Treatment:
- This guide explains home treatment options.
- Control and cushioning of the ball of the foot are needed.
- It is also necessary to stretch and re-train the posterior muscle groups.
- If these methods do not work, invasive treatment may be necessary.
3)Capsulitis:
- This is pain at the base of the toes.
- If you try and bend the smaller toes back or up, you will feel pain.
- This is inflammation of the flexor tendons that bend the toes down.
- This can be very common in the running.
- Decrease inflammation.
- Decrease ball of foot pressure through stretching.
4)Metatarsal Stress Fracture:
- This is a gradual onsetting pain over a few days or weeks.
- It eventually becomes too painful to walk or run.
- This is most common in weekend warriors who start training very hard.
- Usually in people start running many miles right away.
Metatarsal Stress Fracture Home Treatment:
- Treatment is based on proper diagnosing.
- Imaging and X-rays may be needed to confirm the stress fracture.
- Off-loading will be necessary to let the fracture heal.
5)Painful Callus On Ball Of Foot:
- A callus on the ball of the foot is very common.
- This is a sign of too much pressure on the ball of the foot.
- Calluses develop in relation to the amount of pressure placed on them.
Painful Callus On Ball Of Foot Treatment:
- Soften up the callus through home remedies.
- Remove it after it is softened.
- Take precautions to remove the cause of the callus on the ball of the foot!
6) Blister On Ball Of Foot:
- A blister will form from shear forces on the ball of the foot.
- They can have both blood or serous fluid.
Blister On Ball Of Foot Treatment:
- Learn whether to pop the blister or not.
- Then learn how to cover your blister on the ball of the foot.
- Then how to keep the ball of the foot blister from coming back!
7) Second Toe Longer Than Big Toe:
- This will cause all the pain to be concentrated at the base of the 2nd toe.
- This is perhaps the most common cause of metatarsalgia (generalized ball of foot pain.).
Second Toe Longer Than Big Toe Treatment:
- This is done by controlling pressure on the forefoot.
- The only way to correct the length permanently is through surgery.
- But this is rarely needed.
8) Corn On Ball Of Foot:
- A foot corn on a ball of the foot can cause deep pinpoint pain.
- A corn is different than a callus, and it is thinner and deeper.
- It can feel like a needle digging deep in through the skin.
- It is made from hard keratin tissue.
- It is thought to be a thickened and scarred sweat duct.
Corn On Ball Of Foot Treatment:
- Treatment of foot corn on the ball of the foot is usually done by sharp steel!
- Since the corn is very deep, moisturizing does not work as well as for a callus.
- You can always try the skin removal techniques shown for a callus on the ball of the foot.
- But the results will not be as impressive.
9) Hard Skin On Ball Of Foot:
- Hard skin on the ball of the foot is essentially a callus on the ball of the foot.
Hard Skin On Ball Of Foot Treatment:
- Treatment can be done almost completely at home!
- There are a variety of home remedies that can soften the skin.
- The skin can then be safely and easily removed.
10) Stone Bruise On Ball Of Foot:
- A stone bruise on the ball of the foot is simply a deep contusion.
- It gets its name from stepping on a stone.
- This can penetrate through the protective fat pad.
- The deep tissue can take numerous weeks to get better!
Stone Bruise On Ball Of Foot Treatment:
- Treatment is based on rest, ice, compression, and elevation.
- Ball of foot cushion through padding and gel inserts is most important.
- The first few days are usually the most painful; then, it gets better very quickly!
11) Cyst On Ball Of Foot:
- A cyst on the ball of the foot is almost always a ganglion cyst.
- This is a pouching of joint fluid.
Cyst On Ball Of Foot Treatment:
- This is usually treated by aspirating with a needle.
- Surgical removal can provide more long-term results.
12) Hard Lump On Ball Of Foot:
- This is most likely a foot corn on the ball of the foot.
- It can also be a plantar fibroma.
- A plantar fibroma feels like a pebble underneath the skin, but the skin is normal.
Hard Lump On Ball Of Foot Treatment:
- Ball of foot cushion is the primary conservative treatment to achieve relief!
- Surgery may be necessary to remove the knot on the ball of the foot.
13) Plantar Plate Injury:
- Plantar plate injury can occur when the ligament holding the second metatarsal theology joins together start to become injured.
- This is one of the most common causes of second toe pain in the bulk of the foot.
Pain In Ball Of Foot Under Big Toe:
The most common causes of pain in the ball of the foot under the big toe are:
1) Sesamoiditis:
- This is inflammation of the ligaments and soft tissue directly under the big toe joint.
2)Bunion:
- This is a big bump on the inside of the big toe joint.
3) Bone Spurs Ball Of Foot:
- This is when you have decreased motion in the big toe.
- There is usually a bone bump on top of the big toe joint.
4)Turf Toe:
- This is when the big toe gets jammed back or bent back.
5) Gout Ball Of Foot:
- Ball of foot gout is almost always at the big toe joint.
- A gout is a form of crystals that can cause arthritis.
- This is most common in dehydration states, high protein intake, and after alcohol consumption.
6) Bone Spurs Ball Of Foot:
- Bone spurs at the ball of the foot usually form at the big toe joint.
- This is a condition called hallux rigidus.
7) Pain In Ball Of Foot When Walking:
- Pain in the ball of the foot when walking can be any of the above.
- Just like running, walking puts increased pressure on the ball of your foot.
- Each step is 1-2x your body weight.
- This can be a magnification of a further problem that is already there.
- If it does not seem like any other problems above, assume metatarsalgia.
Ball of the Foot Pain Treatment Infographic:
Ball of the Foot Home Treatment:
- Consider taping, orthotics, and great shoes as a combination to fix your foot problem.
- Products are not always necessary to fix your problem.
- The key is correcting the biomechanical problems that are leading to forefoot overload.
- Foot overload means too much pressure in the ball of the foot.
- Generally, something called ankle joint equinus can lead to too much pressure in the ball of your foot. This means your ankle is not flexible enough to move up and down.
- Ball of the foot pain treatment consists of two phases, first is control inflammation, next is to control bio-mechanics.
Remove Control Inflammation:
Massage & Ice Products:
- The metal ball is one of my personal favorites.
- This works great for your arch, less for the ball of the foot.
- These can help relax the arch or heel ligaments, leading to less pressure in the ball of the foot.
- Pills, creams, and ice will never completely fix your problem alone. What they will do is reduce the pressure on the area.
Menthol Based Gels:
- Biofreeze is one of our favorites.
- These gels have been studied to work 2x as long as ice.
- This works great for the ball of the foot.
- Consider using these as options when resting on the couch or going to sleep at night.
Massage Sticks:
- These can work great for loosening your muscles.
- This is means for your hamstring and calf muscles. This can loosen the ankle tightness, putting pressure on the ball of your foot.
- This allows less tightness and pressure on the ball of your foot.
Ball of the Foot Stress Relief.
- The key is to prevent future pain.
- If you can get rid of the pain and swelling, this will let you start walking normally.
- If you can walk normally, the vast majority of your pain should gradually start to go away.
- This means proper cushion, proper stability, and pressure relief from the front of your foot.
- This will relieve pressure from your big toe, your 2nd toe, your Morton’s neuroma, your plantar plate, hammertoes and joint capsules.
Best Metatarsalgia Shoes:
- Getting a great supportive pair of shoes will make sure that there is pressure removed from the ball of your foot.
- This is especially important if you have metatarsalgia, Morton’s neuroma, 2nd metatarsal overload syndrome, and capsulitis!
- Consider shoes combined with a good supportive orthotic for the best pain relief!
- The following link will show you what our favorites are.
Best Ball of the Foot Insoles:
- These are our recommended orthotics & insoles.
- There are different types of different shoes.
- Women’s shoes usually need a less bulky orthotic but allow for less correction.
- A full-length orthotic requires a running shoe, boot, or comfortable walking/dress shoe.
Best Full-Length Orthotics:
- Full-length orthotics are the most recommended type for the ball of the foot pain.
- Be aware that if they are too uncomfortable, it might be worth starting with a less corrective pair.
- Eventually, you can then work your way up to these.
Best Dress Shoe Orthotics:
- These are a stronger option for shoes with tight dress shoes.
- Just be aware that less corrective orthotics & tight shoes are usually not a good combination.
Best 3/4 Length Orthotics:
- These may be a good option for the ball of the foot if the full-length orthotics are too tight or too uncomfortable.
Get A Great Dynamic Stretch:
- It is possible to stretch on your own, but these products can also really help!
- Personally, I have the stationary block set up in my kitchen to stretch every day multiple times while getting my coffee!
- This will take pressure off of the ball of your foot.
Ball of the Foot Pain