Ball of Foot Pain
Learn more about ball-of-foot pain care at Wigley Feet in North Miami Beach.
Overview
What Is Ball of Foot Pain?
Pain in the ball of the foot — called metatarsalgia — is pressure-related pain under the metatarsal heads, the bones just behind the toes. Causes include foot structure, high-impact activity, unsupportive or high-heeled shoes, thinning of the natural fat pad with age, and conditions like neuromas or capsulitis. Because several different problems cause similar pain, an accurate diagnosis is the key to lasting relief.
Patient Education
Watch: Understanding Ball of Foot Pain
A short educational video will help explain the condition, why it happens, and what treatment usually looks like.
Procedure education video coming soon
This video section is reserved for Wigley Feet educational content.
Transcript
Transcript coming soon.
Download patient education PDF
Printable 2-page handout on Wigley Feet letterhead.
The video content is for general education only and does not replace medical evaluation, diagnosis, or treatment. Procedure recommendations depend on examination, imaging, medical history, insurance requirements, procedural risk, and physician judgment.
Who May Benefit?
- Anyone with aching, burning, or sharp pain under the ball of the foot
- Patients who feel like they're 'walking on a pebble'
- Those whose pain worsens with standing, walking, or certain shoes
When to Seek Care
- Ball-of-foot pain lasting more than a couple of weeks
- Numbness or tingling into the toes
- A callus building up under the painful spot
- Pain that changes how you walk
How Wigley Feet Evaluates This Condition
- Examination of the forefoot, toes, and pressure points
- Assessment for neuroma, capsulitis, or joint problems
- X-rays or imaging when needed
Treatment Options
- Metatarsal pads, cushioning, and footwear changes
- Custom or over-the-counter orthotics to redistribute pressure
- Activity modification, icing, and anti-inflammatory measures
- Injections or procedural options for specific diagnoses like neuroma
Where Is This Procedure Performed?
Depending on the patient, procedure complexity, anesthesia needs, insurance requirements, and physician judgment, eligible procedures may be performed through one of two coordinated surgical pathways at Wigley Feet.
Wigley Feet Surgical Suite
In-house AAAASF-certified office-based surgical suite.
Select eligible procedures may be performed in our in-house office-based Surgical Suite, keeping consultation, treatment, and follow-up coordinated through Wigley Feet.
Learn morePalmetto Lakes Surgical Center
Joint Commission-accredited outpatient ambulatory surgical center partner in Miami.
Some procedures may be better suited for an outpatient ambulatory surgical center. Through our partnership with Palmetto Lakes Surgical Center, a Joint Commission-accredited ambulatory surgical center in Miami, we can coordinate ASC-based surgical care when appropriate.
Learn moreThe surgical setting is determined after consultation and is based on safety, medical appropriateness, procedure type, anesthesia requirements, insurance requirements, and physician judgment.
What to Expect
- 1A specific diagnosis — not just 'foot pain'
- 2Pressure-relief strategies that work with your lifestyle
- 3Advanced options if conservative care isn't enough
Related at Wigley Feet
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about ball of foot pain at the Wigley Feet Surgical Suite in North Miami Beach.
Request a Surgical Consultation
To find out whether this procedure is appropriate for you, schedule a consultation with Dr. Stephen Wigley IV and the Wigley Feet care team.
The information on this page is educational and does not replace medical evaluation, diagnosis, or treatment. Not every patient is a candidate for office-based surgery or procedures. Final treatment recommendations depend on examination, diagnosis, imaging, medical history, circulation status, anesthesia needs, insurance requirements, procedural risk, and physician judgment. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.