Pain in the Ball of Your Foot? Here's What Could Be Causing It

Have you been feeling a sharp, burning, or aching pain in the ball of your foot lately? That area just behind your toes—also called the forefoot—takes on a lot of pressure every day. So, it’s no surprise that pain there is a common reason people come to see a podiatrist in Birtley.

Whether it’s a mild niggle or something that’s starting to affect your walking, it’s always worth looking into. Let’s talk about what might be causing it, and how the team at Birtley Foot Clinic can help.

👣 What Do We Mean by "Ball of the Foot"?

The ball of your foot is the area between your arch and your toes. It’s where your foot naturally bends when you walk. Every time you take a step, it helps you push off the ground.

Because this part of the foot gets so much use, it’s also prone to overuse injuries, pressure problems, and pain.

🩺 Common Causes of Pain in the Ball of the Foot

There are a few conditions that could be behind your pain. Here are the most common ones we see at the clinic:

1. Metatarsalgia

This is a general term that means inflammation and pain in the metatarsal region (the ball of your foot). It can feel like a burning ache or like you're walking on a small stone.

What causes it?

• High-impact activities (like running or jumping)

• Ill-fitting footwear, especially with narrow toe boxes

• Spending long hours on your feet

• Having high arches or flat feet

2. Morton’s Neuroma

This is a thickening of the tissue around one of the nerves that leads to your toes, often between the third and fourth toes.

You might feel:

• A sharp or burning pain in the ball of your foot

• Tingling or numbness in your toes

• Like there’s a pebble stuck in your shoe

3. Dropped Metatarsal Heads

Sometimes, one of the bones in your foot drops lower than the others. This creates extra pressure in one area, leading to pain or even calluses.

4. Sesamoiditis

You have tiny bones under your big toe joint called sesamoids. When they become irritated—often from high heels or overuse—it can lead to a sharp, focused pain.

5. Arthritis

If you’ve had wear and tear over time, or conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, you may feel stiff, swollen or sore across the forefoot.

👟 How Footwear Plays a Role

One of the most common reasons we see this type of foot pain is from the wrong shoes. High heels, pointed toes, or shoes with no cushioning can put a lot of pressure on your forefoot. Over time, this leads to problems.

If you live in Gateshead or Birtley and you’re wearing tight shoes to work or dress shoes often, this could be adding to your foot pain.

✅ What Can Be Done?

The good news? You don’t have to put up with this kind of pain. At Birtley Foot Clinic, we see this all the time—and we’ve helped plenty of people walk comfortably again.

Here’s how we usually approach it:

• Full Foot Assessment: We take a close look at how you walk, stand, and move. We also check your footwear and foot shape.

• Padding & Offloading: We can use special padding or insoles to relieve pressure in the sore spots.

• Custom Orthotics: These are made just for your feet to support your arches and take strain off the ball of your foot.

• Footwear Advice: We’ll recommend better shoe choices that still suit your lifestyle.

• Treatment for Specific Issues: If it’s something like Morton’s neuroma or sesamoiditis, we’ll create a targeted plan to manage the condition—whether that’s through exercises, footwear changes, or referrals if needed.

👣 When to Book an Appointment

If your foot pain has been going on for more than a few days, is getting worse, or is stopping you doing things you enjoy—get it checked. The sooner we catch the cause, the easier it is to treat.

👋 We’re Here to Help at Birtley Foot Clinic

You don’t have to live with forefoot pain. Our friendly team at Birtley Foot Clinic is ready to help you find relief and move comfortably again. Whether it’s custom orthotics, expert advice, or hands-on treatment, we’ll work with you to get the best result for your feet.

📍 Located conveniently in Birtley, with easy parking and a welcoming team—we’re just a step away from helping you feel better.

👉 Ready to book? Call us today or use our online booking system. Your feet will thank you!