Why does my metatarsal hurt

The ball of your foot is the area between your toes and your arch. Metatarsalgia is named for the five metatarsal bones in the midsection of your feet that connect to your toes.

Metatarsalgia commonly occurs from overuse injuries in sports that involve running and jumping. The pain of metatarsalgia usually begins gradually over time. It may improve when you rest your foot and get worse when you stand, walk, or exercise. Your foot may feel like:.

The most frequent cause of metatarsalgia is participating in sports activities that put pressure on the metatarsal bones at the front of your foot.

These activities often lead to overuse of the area. Running, for example, involves putting constant force on the ball of your foot. The abnormal stress on your foot can increase inflammation in the metatarsal area. It can also irritate the tendons, ligaments, and cartilage around the bone. People who play high-impact sports that involve running and jumping have a greater risk of metatarsalgia. Also at greater risk are athletes who wear shoes with spikes or shoes without good support.

Your doctor will examine your foot and ask you to walk so they can observe your gait. They will also ask you questions about your activities and when the pain started. If your doctor suspects other causes of the pain, you may have other tests. These may include:. Treatment for metatarsalgia depends on the cause and severity of your pain. Usually, conservative measures like staying off of your feet, changing your footwear, and using an orthotic pad in your shoe will relieve the pain.

You may also be able to ease pain and prevent recurrence by replacing your shoes with a well-fitting pair with good support. You should also avoid wearing high-heeled shoes. Some people also have a foot shape that puts extra pressure on the ball of the foot — for example, if you have small curled-up toes hammer toes or high arches.

Page last reviewed: 1 April Next review due: 1 April Pain in the ball of the foot. How you can ease pain in the ball of your foot yourself If you see a GP, they'll usually suggest you try these things: Do rest and raise your foot when you can put an ice pack or bag of frozen peas in a towel on the painful area for up to 20 minutes every 2 to 3 hours wear wide comfortable shoes with a low heel and soft sole use soft insoles or pads you put in your shoes try to lose weight if you're overweight try regular gentle stretching exercises take paracetamol.

Video: exercises to reduce pain in the ball of the foot This video demonstrates exercises that can help reduce pain in the ball of the foot. Media last reviewed: 17 April Media review due: 17 April Get advice from a GP or health professional before trying it, especially if: you have any concerns about your health you are not sure if the exercises are suitable you have any pre-existing health problems or injuries, or any current symptoms Stop the exercise immediately and get medical help if you feel any pain or feel unwell.

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