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Causes of ball of foot pain are numerous and frequent. These pains include all pains located in the forefoot; the area in contact with the ground between the arch of the foot and the toes. In this article, we won’t talk about pain in the midfoot (foot arch) and hindfoot (heel).
What causes ball of foot pain?
As we've said, there are many types of foot pain. While walking, the forefoot is particularly used since it is in contact and presses the ground under high pressures. Consequently, multiple causes lead to more or less intense pain, tolerable or very disabling in the daily life.
The main causes of ball of foot pain are:
• walking: long walking time involves excessive use of the plantar surface causing ball of foot pain. Indeed, the foot is made of what is called the plantar fat pad, which absorbs shocks between the foot and the ground. This fat pad is a kind of fatty tissue that covers the bottom surface of the foot to cushion and distribute loads. Inevitably, a prolonged use weakens this distributor of pressures and pain progressively takes place.
• excessive supports: this plantar fat pad can suffer from excessive and prolonged supports under the forefoot. For example, sports involving jumps or repeated contact of the forefoot with the ground (running, tennis...) favour ball of foot pain. Overweight can also be responsible for this pain under the foot. Wearing high heels is another factor that plays a major role in the onset of ball of foot pain. Indeed, the body weight is transferred to the forefoot which then supports more loads.
• poor supports: poor support of the first metatarsal, often associated with a bunion, is another cause of ball of foot pain. This process is called first ray insufficiency.
• excessive length of a metatarsal bone.
• abnormality of tendons and muscles (Achilles tendon contracture) remotely causes ball of foot pain.
• claw toe deformity may modify pressure on the toes and the forefoot.
• age leads to progressive and normal wear of the plantar fat pad. Over time, it atrophies and absorbs less shocks and pressure on the ground.
• inappropriate shoes or sports activities.
Unfortunately, there are other causes of ball of foot pain... Indeed, further factors can play a role in their appearance.
Additional causes of ball of foot pain
Other foot conditions can indirectly cause ball of foot pain. The most frequent ones are:
- calluses;
- hallux valgus or bunion;
- flat or hollow feet;
- rheumatoid arthritis;
- Morton’s disease;
- plantar warts.
The list is long, here are the main causes of pain under the forefoot. Because these causes result from daily activities, it is important to find fast and effective solutions to face them. Once you've identified the causes of ball of foot pain, get information to prevent and treat them. Discover our article 'How to relieve plantar pain & calluses'.
Are there solutions for the causes of ball of foot pain?
Quick and simple solutions exist to prevent and relieve your ball of foot pain. Among them, avoid wearing inappropriate, tight, narrow or high heeled shoes. Prefer shoes with wide toe box or wear orthopaedic insoles. Also, you can regularly apply a moisturising cream to prevent the formation of calluses, often responsible for pain under the forefoot.
Lastly, an EPITACT®'s protection is available for people looking for comfortable solutions. Discover the plantar cushions* that aim to distribute pressures and avoid frictions. You can wear them on a daily basis to soothe ball of foot pain.
*This product is a class I medical device that bears the CE marking under this regulation. Carefully read the instructions before use. Manufacturer: Millet Innovation. 04/2022