Pain in the ball of your foot can be caused by a variety of conditions, but one of the most prevalent is Morton’s neuroma. A neuroma is a nerve condition caused by tissue thickening that causes numbness, tingling, and pain. When it happens in the ball of the foot it usually occurs between the third and fourth toes and affects the interstitial nerve. Tight-fitting footwear like ski boots, cowboy boots, and high heels can push the toes together and contribute to the formation of a neuroma.

3 conservative treatments for pain in the ball of your foot include the following:

• Properly fitted footwear—Always wear shoes that have a wide toe box to allow flexibility in the movement of your forefoot. A lower heel cup will also decrease pressure on the affected nerve.
• Orthotic shoe inserts—Custom orthotic inserts that are made to fit your precise foot shape can separate the bones between the toes and decrease the stress on the interstitial nerve that is causing the pain.
• Steroid injection treatment—Substantial decrease in inflammation can be achieved which will decrease the pressure around the nerves.

A neuroma will usually continue to worsen without treatment, possibly resulting in permanent damage.

Since it is also possible that the pain in the ball of your foot is caused by something other than a neuroma (stress fracture, gout, etc…) you should contact your foot doctor to get an accurate diagnosis. 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, and Downingtown. Please contact us for more information or to schedule an appointment.