What Causes Pain The Ball Of The Foot (Metatarsalgia)?

Metatarsalgia is when an individual has inflammation and painful sensations in the ball of their foot, the region between the toes and foot arches. The metatarsals are the five bones positioned at the base of the toes. Symptoms of metatarsalgia include bruising, inflammation, and swelling in the metatarsal part of the foot. Tingling and numbness also frequently occur in an affected individual's toes. Some patients describe pain in the ball of their foot like having a pebble stuck in the inside bottom of their shoe. A physical examination, thorough medical history, and x-rays may be used to rule out other types of foot problems. Most cases of metatarsalgia are treated using conservative measures, including metatarsal pad use, wearing better shoes, and resting. Severe cases that are unable to be managed in other ways may require surgery for treatment.