If you experience pain in the ball of your foot, don’t wait to seek treatment. Identifying the underlying cause can prevent it from getting worse. At Greenwood Foot Clinic, board-certified podiatrist and foot surgeon Mark Lazar, DPM, and podiatrist and foot surgeon Stephen Tentler, DPM, and the team, specialize in treating ball of the foot pain. To make an appointment, call the office in Greenwood or Martinsville, Indiana, or book online today.
Ball of the foot pain is inflammation or discomfort that affects the part of your foot between your arches and toes. Usually, pain in the ball of the foot occurs due to an injury to one of the bones at the base of the toes.
Symptoms of ball of the foot pain include:
As the condition gets worse, you might also experience difficulty standing up or placing weight on the affected foot.
Several factors may cause ball of the foot pain, including repetitive stress during exercise or wearing tight or ill-fitting shoes. You’re also more likely to experience ball of the foot pain if you have an underlying medical condition, like osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or gout.
Make an appointment with the team at Greenwood Foot Clinic if you experience ball of the foot pain and it doesn’t respond to at-home treatments, like ice, rest, or anti-inflammatory medication. You might also make an appointment if the pain gets worse or it affects your ability to work or do other activities.
The team at Greenwood Foot Clinic diagnoses ball of the foot pain during an in-office visit.
Your provider reviews your medical records and asks about your symptoms, including when the pain started, how severe it is on a scale of 1-10, and if it’s worse during activities like work or exercise.
Next, your provider examines your foot, toes, and ankle. During the exam, they look for redness, bruising, or swelling and press on the ball of your foot to pinpoint the location of the pain. They might also order diagnostic imaging, like X-rays, a CT scan, or an MRI to get a closer look at the bones, joints, and soft tissues at the front of your foot.
Treatment of ball of the foot pain depends on several factors, including the severity of your symptoms and the underlying cause. The team at Greenwood Foot Clinic might recommend:
If your pain occurs due to a fracture or a dislocated joint, the team might recommend surgery.
To receive treatment for ball of the foot pain, make an appointment at Greenwood Foot Clinic by calling the nearest office or booking online today.