Extreme pain and discomfort in the ball of the foot can occur in a condition known as metatarsal syndrome. This condition is very much like the more widely known carpal tunnel syndrome that affects the wrist, and both conditions cause similar problems but in totally different locations.

These 5 issues can cause Metatarsal syndrome:

• Working, playing, and training too hard—Participating in high impact sports such as football, tennis, and basketball, and being on your feet all day for your work are all causes of the foot trauma that can lead to metatarsalgia.
• The wrong shoes—Poorly fitting shoes are one of the main causes of many foot and ankle difficulties
• Being overweight—increases the pressure on the ball of the foot, which can increase the chances of developing metatarsalgia.
• Neuroma—These type of nerve anomalies usually occur between the third and fourth toes and can cause considerable pain and discomfort in the ball of the foot.
• Arthritis— Osteoarthritis can increase the likelihood of contracting metatarsalgia.

Treatment for metatarsal syndrome includes the following suggestions:

Resting the foot and wearing properly fitted shoes is essential to provoke adequate healing. Properly used orthotic shoe inserts can relieve the pressure on the nerve greatly decreasing discomfort.

Pain in the ball of your foot may be caused by conditions that have similar symptoms to metatarsalgia.  So always see your foot doctor for the proper diagnosis and care. At Your Next Step, our team of board-certified podiatrists has access to advanced technologies, along with years of experience, to help diagnose and treat a variety of foot and ankle problems, including sports injuries, joint pain, toe deformities, nail fungus, chronic tendon pain, and skin problems. Dr. Eric Ricefield, Dr. Mark Yagodich, and Dr. Aliza V. Eisen provide high-quality foot and ankle care to patients in the greater Philadelphia area at our offices conveniently located in Ardmore, Paoli, Woodlyn, and Downingtown. Please contact us for more information or to schedule an appointment.