06/05/2026
ZeroSole Foot Health Blogs 👣 🧠 💡
Today's topic: Metatarsalgia (ball of foot pain)
Metatarsalgia can present in many forms. It is a symptom, not a diagnosis, and can be caused by various conditions. The most common culprits being:
- Capsulitis:
Inflammation of the joint capsule around the metatarsal-phalangeal joint. Usually associated with that "walking on pebbles" sensation.
- Plantar plate injury:
A tear or partial tear in the connective tissue which supports the digits (usually the 2nd toe). Characterised by pain on direct pressure behind the base of the 2nd toe. Can be accompanied by a change in toe position, such as a 'V' sign/splaying of the 2nd and 3rd toes.
- Morton's neuroma:
Inflammation of the digital nerve which runs between the 3rd and 4th metatarsal bones. Characterised by sharp, shooting pain or numbness/pins & needles which radiates from the ball of the foot, and usually worse in tight, compressive shoes.
- Corns/calluses
Underneath the metatarsal heads. Can be dull or sharp pain depending on location, with a visible hard skin formation.
- Fat pad atrophy:
A reduction in the protective subcutaneous fatty padding that shields the metatarsal heads from impact. Characterised by a dull pain or ache under a broader area across the ball of foot.
Read our Foot Health Blogs at https://zero-sole.com/blogs/news to learn more about ball of foot pain signs & symptoms, causes, treatment and prevention.
