Milwaukee Foot Doctors Offer a Variety of Highly Effective Treatments for Ball of Foot Pain
Milwaukee Foot Specialists Explain Ball of Foot Pain Causes, Symptoms and Treatment Options
When you have pain in the ball of your foot, you may be suffering from metatarsalgia. Your foot has five metatarsal bones within the toes. When there is too much pressure on these bones, the result is pain in the ball of your foot. This type of foot pain can also be caused by calluses, a pinched nerve or even a fracture. If you’re experiencing ball of foot pain turn to our Milwaukee foot doctors for proper diagnosis and evaluation.
The most likely cause of pain in the ball of your foot is metatarsalgia. This is a common condition, affecting many different people with many different causes. Symptoms can be pain in the big toe or the other smaller toes, pain when you flex your foot, a feeling you have a small pebble in your shoe, or difficulty walking barefoot. Metatarsalgia can gradually worsen. It may affect anyone at any age. It is usually more common – and potentially more severe – in older adults. As you get older, your foot tends to lose the protective pad under the ball of the foot. If you think you may be suffering from metatarsalgia turn to the foot specialists Milwaukee trusts to get back on their feet!
Ball of Foot Pain Causes
There are many causes of metatarsalgia. Unfortunately, most of these causes are quite common to a great number of people. However, the sooner the problem is addressed with one of our Milwaukee foot specialists, the more often a simpler treatment will be effective. Our Milwaukee foot doctors suggest trying rest first and avoiding strenuous exercise or sports. Massage your toes or apply ice regularly to reduce swelling. Take anti-swelling medicines available over-the-counter, such as ibuprofen (consult your medical doctor first).
The most common ball of foot pain causes include, but are not necessarily limited to:
- Being Overweight: Added weight puts more pressure on your entire body structure, including your knees, ankles and feet.
- Wearing the Wrong Shoes: This is often the cause of metatarsalgia and is easy to correct. Switch to shoes which are flat, thicker and more supportive. Stay away from high heels or shoes with tight, pointed toes. Custom orthotics may also help to provide greater support for the metatarsal bones. Another simple home remedy for ball of foot pain is to walk with a steady, even gait and good posture. Uneven pressure often contributes to added ball of foot pain. Our Milwaukee custom orthotics specialists also suggest over-the-counter shoe inserts as cushioned soles cause less impact when walking or standing. Metatarsal pads cushion the ball of your foot. Arch supports spread weight more evenly. These are often quite effective and inexpensive DIY treatments for ball of foot pain.
- Metatarsal Stress Fractures: A metatarsal stress fracture can happen through overuse or due to low density in your bones. Our Milwaukee podiatrist may recommend a cast, splint, or custom orthotics while the bone is healing. It can take six to eight weeks for foot stress fractures in metatarsal bones to fully heal.
- Tight Achilles Tendon: If your Achilles tendon is too tight, your heel will pull up when you walk, putting more pressure on your toes.
- Abnormal Foot Shape: You may have abnormally high arches or a second toe which is longer than your large toe. These physical characteristics can cause ball of foot pain.
- Bunions: A foot bunion can force your big toe into your second toe. This can cause metatarsal bones to go out of alignment. A bunionectomy by our Milwaukee foot doctor can correct this.
- Hammer Toes: This refers to a permanent and painful bend in the middle joint of a toe. Hammer toes transfer more weight to the ball of the foot. In certain cases, hammer toe surgery may be necessary.
Ball Of Foot Pain Treatments
If DIY ball of foot pain treatments aren’t providing effective foot pain relief, make an appointment as soon as possible to see our Milwaukee foot specialist. Our experienced foot doctors will perform a thorough examination to determine the cause and severity of your foot pain. Dependent on our evaluation we will recommend ball of foot treatments which will be most effective for you. A cortisone injection may be used to reduce pain and swelling.
In severe cases, ball of foot pain treatment may require surgery in order to reposition the metatarsal bones. Surgical procedures are usually outpatient.
The Podiatrist Milwaukee Trusts for the Most Effective Foot Pain Treatment
Our Milwaukee podiatrist will discuss all foot pain treatment options and help you decide which will be most effective for your condition. As a comprehensive foot and ankle pain clinic in Milwaukee and Brookfield, we provide physical therapy, custom orthotics and braces, laser treatments and surgery. Our Milwaukee foot doctors always provide the most effective, compassionate and professional medical care.