Foot Pain Facts
Foot pain in the "ball of your foot," that area between your arch and the toes, is generally called metatarsalgia (met'-a-tar-sal'-gee-a). The pain usually centers on one or more of the five bones (metatarsals) in this mid-portion of the foot.
Causes of foot pain
Sometimes, the foot pain is caused by a callus that forms on the bottom of your foot. A callus is a build-up of skin that forms in response to excessive pressure over the bone. Normally, a callus is not painful, but the build-up of skin can increase the pressure and eventually make walking difficult. Shoes that don't fit properly because they are too tight or too loose can cause foot pain. Tight shoes squeeze the foot and increase pressure; loose shoes let the foot slide and rub, creating friction.
Treating foot pain
Most of the time, practical measures can help ease foot pain. Your doctor may recommend that you use a shoe insert (orthosis) as a kind of shock absorber, or that you wear a different kind of shoe. Sometimes, simply buying shoes that fit properly can solve the problem. Shoes should have a wide toe box that doesn’t cramp your foot. Heels should be no higher than 2-1/4" high. Soaking your feet to soften calluses, then removing some of the dead skin with a pumice stone or callus file will also ease pressure.
Foot care is paramount for overall proper foot health. If you have problem feet, you need to implement a better foot care regimen. If you want to follow a good foot care plan, you first need to look at your shoes. Poorly designed shoes can reduce your overall level of foot comfort, contribute to such conditions as bunions, corns and calluses, and irritate sensitive, diabetic or swollen feet. Cushioned, roomy support shoes, however, can help provide you with the proper foot care you need.
Source: American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society
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