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A pain in the foot

What causes pain in the ball of my foot?
What causes pain in the ball of my foot?

The general term that describes pain at the ball of the foot is called metatarsalgia. Pain in this area usually develops gradually over time but can also develop suddenly from an injury or from changes in footwear or activity level. Excessive pressure and inflammation in this area can be due to arthritic changes, fat pad deterioration, high arches, foot deformities or other biomechanical abnormalities. The most common cause is ill fitting footwear not suitable for the individual foot type. High heels with narrow/pointed toe boxes can increase the pain and prevent proper healing. Your physician may refer you to a Canadian Certified Pedorthist to develop a treatment plan to redistribute pressure and help improve foot function. This may include proper fitting footwear, custom-made orthotics, or footwear modifications.