Best Shoes for Ball Of The Foot Pain

Ball of the foot pain, also known as metatarsalgia, refers to pain in the metatarsal area of the foot, i.e., the ball of the foot. When the protective pad that cushions the metatarsal heads at the balls of the feet gets worn away or damaged from overuse, metatarsalgia or ball-of-foot pain can arise. This pain can be acute, chronic and recurrent, and often occurs as a sharp pain or burning sensation.

What causes it? The most common cause of ball-of-foot pain is ill-fitting shoes. In contrast to specially designed shoes for metatarsalgia (ball of the foot pain), shoes that have narrow toe boxes are very damaging to the feet, especially after prolonged use. When the shoes we wear are uncomfortable, they can affect our gait, which often leads to ball-of-foot pain. Other possible causes include arthritis, joint irritation, injuries to ligaments, Morton’s neuroma, and pinched nerves.

How is prevented and treated? Since the most common cause of metatarsalgia is poorly fitting shoes, it stands to reason that the best treatment and prevention for this foot condition is to wear metatarsalgia shoes. The best men’s shoes for metatarsalgia and best men’s shoes for ball-of-foot pain are shoes that fit properly and have a low or moderate heel. The best men’s walking shoes for metatarsalgia and best men’s walking shoes for ball of the foot pain should also have orthopedic insoles that provide arch support and extra cushioning for the ball of the foot. Frequently resting, icing and elevating the foot are also helpful treatment measures.