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Patient Questions  /  Pain in the ball of the foot

Foot & Ankle

Why Does the Ball of My Foot Hurt?

Often it's metatarsalgia, which means the area under the bones at the base of your toes is overloaded and sore. Common causes include high heels, thin-soled shoes, lots of running or jumping, bunions or hammertoes, and the fat pad under the foot thinning with age. Burning or tingling between the toes may be a Morton's neuroma.

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Common causes

  • Metatarsalgia. An aching or bruised feeling under the ball of the foot, worse when standing, walking barefoot on hard floors or wearing heels.
  • Morton's neuroma. An irritated nerve between the toes, usually the third and fourth. It can feel like burning, tingling or standing on a pebble.
  • A stress fracture in one of the long foot bones, often after a jump in walking, running or training.
  • Toe joint irritation, often with bunions, hammertoes or arthritis in the big toe.

What usually helps

  • Shoes: a cushioned sole, a wide toe box and a lower heel. Some people find a stiffer “rocker” sole helps.
  • Padding: a metatarsal pad placed just behind the sore spot can take pressure off it.
  • Load: cut back on running, jumping or long periods on your feet for a while, then build back up gradually.
  • Strength and flexibility: tight calves can push more load onto the front of the foot, so calf stretching and foot and calf strengthening often help.

When to see a doctor

See a doctor promptly if you have:

  • Pain on a specific spot on the top of a foot bone that worsens with activity, with or without swelling, which may be a stress fracture
  • Diabetes with numbness, a sore, a blister or a color change on your foot
  • A hot, red, very painful toe joint, which can be gout
  • A foot that is cold, pale or blue
  • Numbness that is spreading or doesn't go away

How physical therapy at ARI can help

A physical therapist looks at your foot, ankle, calf strength and how you walk or run, and gives practical advice on shoes and padding. They then build a plan to strengthen your feet and legs and return you to activity at a pace your foot can handle.

At ARI Physical Therapy in Bakersfield, every visit is one-on-one and in person with a licensed physical therapist, and our clinic director, Deepa Konnur, PT, MPT, OCS, is a board-certified Orthopedic Certified Specialist. We accept most private insurance plans and Medicare, and we have staff who speak Spanish and Hindi.

Read our full guide: Plantar fasciitis and heel pain →

No referral needed to start. In California, you can see a physical therapist directly for up to 12 visits or 45 days, whichever comes first. Some insurance plans still require a referral for coverage; call us at (661) 282-8584 and we'll help you check.

Related questions

Ready to feel better?

Talk to a licensed physical therapist at ARI, one-on-one. Request an evaluation and we'll get back to you, usually within one business day.

Request an EvaluationCall (661) 282-8584

This page is general information, not a diagnosis. If you have symptoms, a licensed clinician should evaluate you.

Clinically reviewed by Deepa Konnur, PT, MPT, OCS, board-certified Orthopedic Certified Specialist · Reviewed October 2026