Metatarsalgia

Metatarsalgia (pronounced “MET-ah-tar-SAL-gee-ah”) refers to pain and inflammation in the ball of your foot, or forefoot. This is the area between the arches and toes on the bottom of your foot. The pain of metatarsalgia typically centers under one or more of the five bones at the bases of your toes, the metatarsal heads.

Metatarsalgia has a number of different causes, including:

• Foot deformities.
• Health conditions involving your foot or ankle.
• Sports and other activities involving running or jumping.
• Wearing shoes that are too tight or too loose.

Treatment varies depending on your condition, but typically starts with simple measures like rest, stretches and over-the-counter (OTC) pain medications.