Does standing on tiptoe make you wince with pain? You may have metatarsalgia, or inflammation of the ball of the foot.

Symptoms and Causes

• Metatarsalgia can make your feet extremely uncomfortable, with symptoms including:
• Sharp pain or dull ache just behind the toes on the ball of the foot.
• Pain that worsens while walking, running or jumping and improves when at rest.
• Numbness or pain in the toes.
• Pain in the feet that worsens when barefoot.

While there is occasionally one singular cause for metatarsalgia, it is typically caused by several factors, including:

• Improper foot alignment
• Improper walking mechanics
• Unusual foot shape
• Hammertoe
• Intense training and activity
• Bunions
• Excess weight
• Tight shoes
• Morton’s Neuroma
• Stress fractures

Often pain in the foot can be healed with a day or two of rest, some ice and over the counter pain medication. However, if your pain is severe or ongoing, it may be time to see a podiatrist.