Relief for Pain in the Ball of Foot

Aches and pains in the ball of the foot can make every step fell like a chore. Luckily, there are many ways to treat pain in the ball of the foot. Neuromas and metatarsalgia are the most common problems that affect the ball of the foot. Even though neuromas and metatarsalgia can be very painful, these two problems are treatable if properly diagnosed. When a competent health care specialist treats these problems, quality of life is greatly increased, and pain-free living can be possible.

Identification

• A neuroma is an impingement of the nerves in the ball of the foot, usually caused when one or more metatarsal heads (large knuckle-like bones that compose the ball) impinge a nerve. This impingement causes a stinging pain or numbness. Metatarsalgia affects several metatarsal heads and can make the entire ball of the foot ache.

Specialists

• Podiatrists are foot doctors who specialize in diagnosing and treating foot problems like metatarsalgia and neuromas. They are the first line of defense in treating these maladies. They will often prescribe foot orthotics or an injection with a steroid like Cortisone.

Types

• Patients have great relief from custom foot orthotics. A pad called a metatarsal pad is placed on an orthotic, behind the ball of the foot, that relieves pain and reduces pressure in the ball.

Benefits

• Orthotics with metatarsal pads and cortisone shots can greatly reduce or completely eliminate foot pain. By reducing inflammation, ball-of-foot pain is significantly reduced.

Misconceptions

• Cortisone is not a permanent fix for ball-of-foot pain because steroids do not permanently eliminate pain. Although patients can feel great and have their symptoms eliminated for a long time, in some cases symptoms can reoccur in a few months or sooner.