Metatarsalgia (foot pain in ball)

Pain in the area between the arch and toes, or ball of the foot, is generally called metatarsalgia. The pain usually centers on one or more of the five bones (metatarsals) in this mid-portion of the foot. Also known as dropped metatarsal heads, metatarsalgia can cause abnormal weight distribution due to overpronation.

Metatarsalgia occurs when one of the metatarsal joints becomes painful or inflamed. People often develop a callus under the affected joint. Metatarsalgia also can be caused by arthritis, foot injury (from sports, a car accident, or repeated stress), hard surfaces (cement or tile floors), and specific footwear (rigid-soled work boots).

A simple change of shoes may solve the problem. In more severe cases, custom orthotics may be prescribed to alleviate the pain and prevent overpronation.

What is a Podiatrist?
When To Call a Doctor
Foot Problems
- General Statistics
- Achilles Problems
  - Achilles Tendonitis
  - Peroneal Tendon Dislocation/Dysfunction
  - Xanthomas of the Achilles Tendon
- Arch and Ball Problems
  - Flat Feet (over pronation)
  - Metatarsalgia (foot pain in ball)
  - Plantar Fibromas (lumps in the arch of the foot)
  - Sesamoiditis
  - Capsulitis
- Common Foot Injuries
  - Ankle Sprain Injuries
  - Broken Ankle
  - Fractures
  - Osteochondritis (stiff ankle)
  - Osteochondromas
  - Shin Splints
  - Sports Injuries
- Deformities
  - Amniotic Band Syndrome
  - Bunions
  - Claw Toe
  - Clubfoot
  - Dysplasia (Epiphysealis Hemimelica)
  - Enchondroma
  - Flat Feet
  - Gordon Syndrome
  - Haglund’s Deformity
  - Hallux Limitus (Stiff Big Toe Joint)
  - Hallux Rigidus (Stiff Big Toe)
  - Hallux Varus
  - Hammertoes
  - Jackson-Weiss Syndrome
  - Mallet Toes
  - Metatarsalgia
  - Osteomyelitis (Bone Infections)
  - Overlapping or Underlapping Toes
  - Peroneal Tendon Dislocation/Dysfunction
  - Sesamoiditis
  - Spurs
  - Tarsal Coalition
  - Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction
- Diabetes and Your Feet
- Diseases of the Foot
  - Arthritis
  - Cancer
  - Freiberg’s Disease
  - Gout
  - Kaposi’s Sarcoma (AIDS related)
  - Kohler’s Disease
  - Maffucci’s Syndrome
  - Ollier’s Disease
  - Raynaud’s Disease
  - Sever’s Disease
  - Sever’s Disease
  - Charcot Foot
- Heel Problems
  - Haglund’s Deformity
  - Heel Callus
  - Heel Fissures
  - Plantar Fasciitis (heel spur)
- Nail Problems
  - Black Toenails
  - Ingrown Toenails
  - Nail Fungus
- Skin Problems
  - Allergies
  - Athlete’s Foot (tinea pedis)
  - Blisters
  - Burning Feet
  - Calluses
  - Corns
  - Cysts
  - Frostbite
  - Fungus
  - Gangrene
  - Lesions
  - Psoriasis
  - Smelly Feet and Foot Odor
  - Swelling
  - Ulcers
  - Warts
- Toe Problems
  - Bunions
  - Claw Toe
  - Digital Deformity
  - Hallux Limitus (stiff big toe joint)
  - Hallux Rigidis (rigid big toe)
  - Hallux Varus
  - Hammertoes
  - Intoeing
  - Overlapping, Underlapping Toes
  - Subungal Exotosis (bone spur under toenail)
  - Turf Toe
- Vascular/Nerve Problems
  - Acrocyanosis
  - Alcoholic Neuropathy
  - Chilblains (cold feet)
  - Erythromelalgia
  - Ischemic Foot
  - Neuroma
  - Spasms
  - Venous Stasis
- Ankle Problems
  - Ankle Sprain
  - Chronic Lateral Ankle Pain
  - Osteochondritis
- Fungus Problems
  - Common Fungal Problems
  - Athlete’s Foot (Tinea Pedis)
  - Fungal Nails
Foot Care
- Basic Foot Care Guidelines
- Self-Assessment Quiz
- Athletic Foot Care
- Blisters
- Bunion Prevention
- Burning Feet
- Children’s Feet
- Corns and Calluses
- Diabetic Foot Care
- Foot Care For Seniors
- Fungus Problems
  - Athlete’s Foot
  - Common Fungal Problems
  - Fungal Nails
  - Other Tips
  - Prevention
- Ingrown Nails
- Osteoporosis
- Foot Odor and Smelly Feet
  - Prevention
  - Treating Foot Odor
- Pedicures
- Foot Self-Exam
- Women’s Feet
  - High Heels
  - Pregnancy
  - Stockings?
  - Women Over 65
- Your Feet at Work
- Exercise Those Toes!
Medical Care
- Pain Management
  - General Information and Tips
  - Pain Management for Specific Conditions
- Diagnostic Procedures
  - Computed Tomography
  - MRI
  - Ultrasound
  - X-Rays
- Orthotics
- Surgical Procedures
  - Achilles Surgery
  - Ankle Surgery
  - Arthritis Surgery
  - Arthroscopy
  - Bunion Surgery
  - Cyst Removal
  - Flatfoot Correction
  - General Information
  - Heel Surgery
  - Metatarsal Surgery
  - Nerve Surgery (Neuroma)
  - Toe Surgery
  - Hammertoe Surgery
- Therapies
  - Athlete’s Foot Treatment
  - Cryotherapy
  - Extracorporeal Shock Wave
  - Neurolysis
  - Physical Therapy
  - Iontophoresis
Fitness and Your Feet
- Aerobics
- Exercise Those Toes!
- Fitness And Your Feet
- Sports and Your Feet
  - Jogging and Running
  - Basketball
  - Baseball
  - Cycling
  - Golf
  - Tennis
- Stretching
- Walking and Your Feet
- General Information About Fitness and Your Feet
- Work Footwear
Shoes
- Anatomy of a Shoe
- What To Look For
- Your Footprint
- Wear Patterns
- Children’s Shoes
- Corrective and Prescription Shoes
- Men’s Shoes
- Women’s Shoes
- Athletic Shoe Guidelines
- Getting a Proper Fit
Links
- Government
- Online Resources
- Associations/Groups
Foot Anatomy
Overview of Foot and Ankle Problems
Basic Foot Care Guidelines

Dr. Donald Kuzyk, Newbury Park CA, 91320 Simi Valley CA, 93065 (805) 5843510

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