BALL OF FOOT PAIN

Medical Podiatrist - Metatarsalgia is a condition involving localised pain at the level of the metatarsophalangeal joint.  It is associated with pronation and plantarflexion with rotation of the shafts causing inflammation and swelling of the surrounding tissue.

The condition can be caused by structural, functional, or traumatic factors (primary) or systemic disease (secondary).

Symptoms include pain in the underneath forefoot area, particularly the metatarsal heads and transverse arch of the foot.

Mortons Neuroma is the natural progression of Metatarsalgia if left untreated, in which collision of the metatarsal heads causes nerve damage and swelling, causing pain and numbness in the toes - medical podiatrist.

Conservative treatment of either condition involves using a custom orthotic device with a metatarsal dome to support and re-establish the transverse arch. It requires surgery to repair damaged nerves in extreme cases of Mortons neuroma where extensive nerve damage has occurred.