Quick guide
This page provides general health information and does not diagnose an individual condition. Persistent, worsening or concerning symptoms should be assessed by an appropriately qualified health professional.
This page provides general health information and does not diagnose an individual condition. Persistent, worsening or concerning symptoms should be assessed by an appropriately qualified health professional.
Understanding the problem
The ball of the foot lies beneath the metatarsal heads just behind the toes and carries substantial load during push-off. ’Metatarsalgia’ describes the region of pain rather than one single disease.
Common causes
- Repeated forefoot loading
- Morton’s neuroma
- Plantar plate injury
- Sesamoid problems
- Callus or corns
- Arthritis or inflammation
- Metatarsal stress fracture
- Narrow, thin-soled or high-pressure footwear
What can you do?
- Choose footwear with a wider toe box and adequate cushioning.
- Temporarily reduce activities that repeatedly increase forefoot pain.
- Avoid high heels or very flexible thin-soled shoes if they worsen symptoms.
- Seek assessment if symptoms persist, recur, cause numbness or change your walking pattern.
When not to wait
Prompt assessment is appropriate if you cannot bear weight, there is major swelling or bruising after injury, the foot is hot and red, or focal bone pain is worsening.
Prompt assessment is appropriate if you cannot bear weight, there is major swelling or bruising after injury, the foot is hot and red, or focal bone pain is worsening.
The Footpath Health approach
Footpath Health is designed to help you move from a symptom or question toward an appropriate next step without pretending that an online article can make an individual diagnosis. Sometimes that next step is self-management; sometimes it is podiatry, physiotherapy or GP assessment; and sometimes imaging or specialist care is appropriate.
Still not sure what the right next step is?
Tell Footpath Health what is bothering you and we can help guide you towards the most appropriate type of healthcare professional.
Start the Footpath Health assessment →