Balls of Feet

Metatarsalgia produces pain and inflammation in the ball of the foot. Strenuous activity or ill-fitting shoes are the usual causes.

Treatment for metatarsalgia includes:

pain relievers
change to more comfortable footwear
inserts for the shoes to relieve pressure on the ball of the foot

Morton’s neuroma is thickening of the tissue around the nerve between the bases of the toes (usually between the third and fourth toes). Foot pain, odd sensations, or numbness over the ball of the foot are the usual symptoms. It is more common in women and can be a result of wearing high heels or tight shoes.

Morton’s neuroma treatment includes:

shoe inserts to reduce pressure on the nerve
steroid injection into the area of foot pain
pain relievers
surgery (occasionally)

Sesamoiditis occurs when tendons around the big toe are injured and inflamed.

Treatment for sesamoiditis includes:

rest
ice
wearing a foot pad under the toe in a comfortable shoe
wearing low-heeled shoes
steroid injections may be helpful in some cases