What is metatarsalgia? A condition in the ball of foot where the area between your arches and toes becomes inflamed or irritated.What is metatarsalgia? A condition in the ball of foot where the area between your arches and toes becomes inflamed or irritated.

Metatarsalgia & Ball of Foot Pain

Whether you’re a long-distance runner or just spend a lot of time on your feet, you might experience pain or discomfort in the ball of your foot. Metatarsalgia, or ball of foot pain, is a condition that affects the bottom of the foot in the front where the area between your arches and toes becomes inflamed or irritated.

Detailed medical image of the location of metatarsal pain in the foot.

What Does It Mean When the Ball of Your Foot Hurts?

When the ball of your foot hurts, it’s likely a result of uneven distribution of weight or increased pressure on the metatarsal bones located between your arch and toes. Pain in the ball of the foot makes it hard to walk comfortably and can keep you from participating in activities you enjoy. However, metatarsalgia pain is treatable and with proper care you can prevent and even eliminate the pain.

Ball of foot pain when walking is especially noticeable because, as you walk, your body weight transfers from your heel to the ball of your foot. An uneven transfer of weight, excessive pressure, or certain foot deformities can cause inflammation, pain, and swelling. Often, this is common for people in high-impact sports where a lot of pressure is applied to the feet.

Symptoms of Metatarsalgia

Most people who have metatarsalgia describe the condition as sharp or stabbing pain in the ball of the foot. You might even feel like you have a rock stuck in your shoe. This is sometimes known as “stone bruise.”

Common metatarsalgia symptoms include:

  • Sharp, burning, or aching pain in the ball of your foot
  • Pain that gets worse when standing, running, or walking
  • Stabbing pain, numbness or tingling in the toes
  • Feeling like something hard, such as a rock or pebble, is stuck in your shoe
  • Painful calluses on the skin around the ball of your foot
  • Bruising or swelling in the area

If you’ve been on your feet all day long, you might experience mild pain that goes away once you rest. Some metatarsalgia pain can be more severe, lasting longer than a few days and making everyday activities like walking the dog or taking the kids to the bus stop painful. For severe metatarsal pain, visit your doctor or podiatrist for a diagnosis and treatment options.

What's Causing My Ball of Foot Pain?

Consider what activities you like to do and the kind of shoes you wear when figuring out what causes pain in the ball of your foot. A lack of support in your shoes is a common factor. If you’re a frequent runner or have high arches, you might also experience symptoms of stone bruises.

Other causes for ball of foot pain include:

  • Arthritis, gout, or joint inflammation in the feet
  • Wearing shoes that are too tight, too narrow, or lack support
  • Foot deformities and conditions like hammertoe, bunions, or Morton’s Neuroma
  • Excess weight putting too much pressure on the feet
  • Stress fractures or other injuries changing how you walk
  • Prolonged periods of standing
  • Increase in high-impact activities or sports
  • Intense training in worn-out tennis shoes

How Do You Treat Ball of Foot Pain?

There are several ways to remedy pain in the ball of your foot. At-home metatarsalgia treatment options are great for mild symptoms while podiatrist recommended orthotic insoles for ball of foot pain prevent further problems.

Some doctors might recommend a metatarsal pad to help separate and support the metatarsal bones. Meanwhile, resting and icing your feet or wearing more supportive shoes can relieve mild stone bruise or ball of foot pain.

When treating metatarsalgia pain, you want to reduce the amount of pressure and stress on your feet. Shoes or insoles with strong arch support and special shock-absorbing material can help minimize that pressure and provide immediate relief for metatarsalgia. 

Insoles for Ball of Foot Pain & Metatarsalgia

Metatarsalgia insoles support your arch and put less pressure on the ball of your foot, relieving pain or inflammation around your toes. Insoles for metatarsalgia pain are great for using inside your running shoes, walking shoes, or other everyday footwear. 

PowerStep® orthotic insoles are designed to provide you with the right amount of support where you need it so you can prevent and solve pain at the source.

Our best insoles for ball of foot pain are:

Bottom view of shoe inserts for Pinnacle Plus Met Neutral Arch Support Orthotic Shoe Insoles with blue EVA base, top view of shoe insoles with blue polyester top fabric, image of Pinnacle Plus Met Neutral Arch Support Insoles packaging, profile view of Pinnacle Plus Met Neutral Arch Support Orthotic Insoles with semi-rigid neutral arch support, relief of ball of foot pain, Morton’s neuroma, and metatarsalgia, plantar fasciitis, pronation, foot, arch and heel pain, sore aching feet
Image breakdown by layer of the Pinnacle Plus Met Neutral Arch Supporting shoe inserts for walking, metatarsal pad to help alleviate ball of foot pain, arch support and heel cradle to provide heel stability, semi-rigid support shell is firm but flexible for increased comfort and stability, top fabric reduces heat, friction, and sweat, EVA foam base and foam top layer provide dual-layer cushioning, insoles for casual walking shoes, orthotic insoles for plantar fasciitis, ball of foot pain, metatarsalgia
Floating Pinnacle Plus Met Neutral Arch Support Insoles, inserts for ball of foot pain, shoe inserts for metatarsalgia, arch support shoe inserts for women, arch support shoe inserts for men, unisex shoe inserts, insoles for pronation, mild overpronation, neutral arch support for plantar fasciitis, arch support to correct malalignment from pronation, orthotics for metatarsalgia, orthotics for morton’s neuroma
Top view of Pinnacle Plus Met Neutral Arch Support Shoe insoles with blue polyester top fabric, men's shoes, women's shoes, walking shoe insoles with metatarsal pad to spread metatarsal bones, these shoes inserts help relieve and prevent pain from conditions caused by foot malalignment, relief from mild overpronation, ball of foot and metatarsalgia pain relief, relief from plantar fasciitis pain, relief from pronation, orthotic shoe inserts, arch supporting orthotic insoles, plantar fasciitis orthotics
View of Pinnacle Plus Met Neutral orthotic arch support shoe inserts from heel to toe, relieves foot, arch, and heel pain, and sore, aching feet, shoe insoles for walking, men’s orthotic shoe inserts, women’s orthotic shoe inserts, orthotic shoe inserts for metatarsalgia, ball of foot shoe inserts, neutral arch support helps to correct pronation and prevent plantar fasciitis, shoe inserts for morton’s neuroma
Profile view of Pinnacle Plus Met Neutral arch supporting shoe insoles with semi-rigid arch support for pronation, support with metatarsal pad cushioning for ball of foot pain, metatarsalgia and morton’s neuroma, arch support for plantar fasciitis, designed for walking and running shoes, shoe inserts to help relieve pain from plantar fasciitis, orthotic shoe insoles with standard arch support
PowerStep Pinnacle Plus Met Orthotic Shoe Insoles, Made in the USA with US and imported materials, pain relief and prevention, proven clinically effective for immediate relief from ball of foot pain, metatarsalgia, foot, arch and heel pain, plantar fasciitis, number one in improving foot function according to 2020 clinical study, number one podiatrist recommended shoe orthotic for arch support, women’s shoe inserts, men’s orthotic shoe insoles, unisex orthotic arch support insoles
PowerStep Pinnacle Plus with Met insole dimensions
Bottom view of shoe inserts for Pinnacle Plus Met Neutral Arch Support Orthotic Shoe Insoles with blue EVA base, top view of shoe insoles with blue polyester top fabric, image of Pinnacle Plus Met Neutral Arch Support Insoles packaging, profile view of Pinnacle Plus Met Neutral Arch Support Orthotic Insoles with semi-rigid neutral arch support, relief of ball of foot pain, Morton’s neuroma, and metatarsalgia, plantar fasciitis, pronation, foot, arch and heel pain, sore aching feet
Image breakdown by layer of the Pinnacle Plus Met Neutral Arch Supporting shoe inserts for walking, metatarsal pad to help alleviate ball of foot pain, arch support and heel cradle to provide heel stability, semi-rigid support shell is firm but flexible for increased comfort and stability, top fabric reduces heat, friction, and sweat, EVA foam base and foam top layer provide dual-layer cushioning, insoles for casual walking shoes, orthotic insoles for plantar fasciitis, ball of foot pain, metatarsalgia
Floating Pinnacle Plus Met Neutral Arch Support Insoles, inserts for ball of foot pain, shoe inserts for metatarsalgia, arch support shoe inserts for women, arch support shoe inserts for men, unisex shoe inserts, insoles for pronation, mild overpronation, neutral arch support for plantar fasciitis, arch support to correct malalignment from pronation, orthotics for metatarsalgia, orthotics for morton’s neuroma
Top view of Pinnacle Plus Met Neutral Arch Support Shoe insoles with blue polyester top fabric, men's shoes, women's shoes, walking shoe insoles with metatarsal pad to spread metatarsal bones, these shoes inserts help relieve and prevent pain from conditions caused by foot malalignment, relief from mild overpronation, ball of foot and metatarsalgia pain relief, relief from plantar fasciitis pain, relief from pronation, orthotic shoe inserts, arch supporting orthotic insoles, plantar fasciitis orthotics
View of Pinnacle Plus Met Neutral orthotic arch support shoe inserts from heel to toe, relieves foot, arch, and heel pain, and sore, aching feet, shoe insoles for walking, men’s orthotic shoe inserts, women’s orthotic shoe inserts, orthotic shoe inserts for metatarsalgia, ball of foot shoe inserts, neutral arch support helps to correct pronation and prevent plantar fasciitis, shoe inserts for morton’s neuroma
Profile view of Pinnacle Plus Met Neutral arch supporting shoe insoles with semi-rigid arch support for pronation, support with metatarsal pad cushioning for ball of foot pain, metatarsalgia and morton’s neuroma, arch support for plantar fasciitis, designed for walking and running shoes, shoe inserts to help relieve pain from plantar fasciitis, orthotic shoe insoles with standard arch support
PowerStep Pinnacle Plus Met Orthotic Shoe Insoles, Made in the USA with US and imported materials, pain relief and prevention, proven clinically effective for immediate relief from ball of foot pain, metatarsalgia, foot, arch and heel pain, plantar fasciitis, number one in improving foot function according to 2020 clinical study, number one podiatrist recommended shoe orthotic for arch support, women’s shoe inserts, men’s orthotic shoe insoles, unisex orthotic arch support insoles
PowerStep Pinnacle Plus with Met insole dimensions

Pinnacle Plus with Met Orthotic Insoles

The Pinnacle Plus Met insoles provide cushioning and support while a built-in metatarsal pad spreads and supports the metatarsal heads to get rid of pain. These insoles are ideal for metatarsalgia, alleviating pain caused by the condition and other foot conditions that put pressure on the front of your foot and toes.

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Bottom view of shoe inserts for PULSE Plus Met Neutral Arch Support Orthotic Shoe Insoles with orange EVA base, top view of shoe insoles with orange and yellow polyester top fabric, image of PULSE Plus Met Neutral Arch Support Insoles packaging, profile view of PULSE Plus Met Neutral Arch Support Orthotic Insoles with semi-rigid neutral arch support, relief of ball of foot pain, Morton’s neuroma, and metatarsalgia, plantar fasciitis, pronation, foot, arch and heel pain, sore aching feet
Image breakdown by layer of the PULSE Plus Met Neutral Arch Supporting shoe inserts for running, metatarsal pad to help alleviate ball of foot pain, arch support and heel cradle to provide heel stability, semi-rigid support shell is firm but flexible for increased comfort and stability, top fabric reduces heat, friction, and sweat, EVA foam base and foam top layer provide dual-layer cushioning, insoles for running shoes, orthotic insoles for plantar fasciitis, ball of foot pain, metatarsalgia
Floating PULSE Plus Met Neutral Arch Support Running Insoles, inserts for ball of foot pain, shoe inserts for metatarsalgia, arch support shoe inserts for women, arch support shoe inserts for men, unisex shoe inserts, insoles for pronation, mild overpronation, neutral arch support for plantar fasciitis, arch support to correct malalignment from pronation, orthotics for metatarsalgia, orthotics for morton’s neuroma, athletic insoles for runners
Top view of PULSE Plus Met Neutral Arch Support Shoe insoles with orange and yellow polyester top fabric, men's shoes, women's shoes, running shoe insoles with metatarsal pad to spread metatarsal bones, these shoes inserts help relieve and prevent pain from conditions caused by foot malalignment, relief from mild overpronation, ball of foot and metatarsalgia pain relief, relief from plantar fasciitis pain, relief from pronation, orthotic shoe inserts, arch supporting orthotic insoles
View of PULSE Plus Met Neutral orthotic arch support running shoe inserts from heel to toe, relieves foot, arch, and heel pain, and sore, aching feet, shoe insoles for running, men’s orthotic shoe inserts, women’s orthotic shoe inserts, orthotic shoe inserts for metatarsalgia, ball of foot shoe inserts, neutral arch support helps to correct pronation and prevent plantar fasciitis, shoe inserts for morton’s neuroma, shoe inserts for running
Profile view of PULSE Plus Met Neutral arch supporting shoe insoles with semi-rigid arch support for pronation, support with metatarsal pad cushioning for ball of foot pain, metatarsalgia and morton’s neuroma, arch support for plantar fasciitis, designed for running shoes, shoe inserts to help relieve pain from plantar fasciitis, orthotic shoe insoles with standard arch support, insoles for runners, running shoe orthotic insoles
PowerStep PULSE Plus Met Orthotic Shoe Insoles for runners, Made in the USA with US and imported materials, pain relief and prevention, proven clinically effective for immediate relief from ball of foot pain, metatarsalgia, foot, arch and heel pain, plantar fasciitis, number one in improving foot function according to 2020 clinical study, number one podiatrist recommended shoe orthotic for arch support, women’s shoe inserts, men’s orthotic shoe insoles, unisex orthotic arch support insoles
PowerStep PULSE Plus with Met insole dimensions
Bottom view of shoe inserts for PULSE Plus Met Neutral Arch Support Orthotic Shoe Insoles with orange EVA base, top view of shoe insoles with orange and yellow polyester top fabric, image of PULSE Plus Met Neutral Arch Support Insoles packaging, profile view of PULSE Plus Met Neutral Arch Support Orthotic Insoles with semi-rigid neutral arch support, relief of ball of foot pain, Morton’s neuroma, and metatarsalgia, plantar fasciitis, pronation, foot, arch and heel pain, sore aching feet
Image breakdown by layer of the PULSE Plus Met Neutral Arch Supporting shoe inserts for running, metatarsal pad to help alleviate ball of foot pain, arch support and heel cradle to provide heel stability, semi-rigid support shell is firm but flexible for increased comfort and stability, top fabric reduces heat, friction, and sweat, EVA foam base and foam top layer provide dual-layer cushioning, insoles for running shoes, orthotic insoles for plantar fasciitis, ball of foot pain, metatarsalgia
Floating PULSE Plus Met Neutral Arch Support Running Insoles, inserts for ball of foot pain, shoe inserts for metatarsalgia, arch support shoe inserts for women, arch support shoe inserts for men, unisex shoe inserts, insoles for pronation, mild overpronation, neutral arch support for plantar fasciitis, arch support to correct malalignment from pronation, orthotics for metatarsalgia, orthotics for morton’s neuroma, athletic insoles for runners
Top view of PULSE Plus Met Neutral Arch Support Shoe insoles with orange and yellow polyester top fabric, men's shoes, women's shoes, running shoe insoles with metatarsal pad to spread metatarsal bones, these shoes inserts help relieve and prevent pain from conditions caused by foot malalignment, relief from mild overpronation, ball of foot and metatarsalgia pain relief, relief from plantar fasciitis pain, relief from pronation, orthotic shoe inserts, arch supporting orthotic insoles
View of PULSE Plus Met Neutral orthotic arch support running shoe inserts from heel to toe, relieves foot, arch, and heel pain, and sore, aching feet, shoe insoles for running, men’s orthotic shoe inserts, women’s orthotic shoe inserts, orthotic shoe inserts for metatarsalgia, ball of foot shoe inserts, neutral arch support helps to correct pronation and prevent plantar fasciitis, shoe inserts for morton’s neuroma, shoe inserts for running
Profile view of PULSE Plus Met Neutral arch supporting shoe insoles with semi-rigid arch support for pronation, support with metatarsal pad cushioning for ball of foot pain, metatarsalgia and morton’s neuroma, arch support for plantar fasciitis, designed for running shoes, shoe inserts to help relieve pain from plantar fasciitis, orthotic shoe insoles with standard arch support, insoles for runners, running shoe orthotic insoles
PowerStep PULSE Plus Met Orthotic Shoe Insoles for runners, Made in the USA with US and imported materials, pain relief and prevention, proven clinically effective for immediate relief from ball of foot pain, metatarsalgia, foot, arch and heel pain, plantar fasciitis, number one in improving foot function according to 2020 clinical study, number one podiatrist recommended shoe orthotic for arch support, women’s shoe inserts, men’s orthotic shoe insoles, unisex orthotic arch support insoles
PowerStep PULSE Plus with Met insole dimensions

PULSE® Plus with Met Running Shoe Insoles

PULSE Plus running shoe insoles with added metatarsal pad are designed to relieve and prevent pain from metatarsalgia. Made specifically for athletic shoes, these insoles have all the benefits of Pinnacle Plus with the addition of a ShockAbsorb™ Premium Foam layer for superior cushioning.

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PowerStep Ball of Foot Cushions for Intractable Plantar Keratoma (IPK), ball of foot cushions that allow the IPK to float suspended, features hollowed pressure relief area that eliminates pressure from second to third ray dropped metatarsal heads, blue
Intractable Plantar Keratoma ball of foot cushions for eliminating pressure from second and third ray metatarsal heads, extra ball of foot cushioning pad surrounds the IPK, ball of foot cushioning for men and women, pair with PowerStep orthotic insoles for a customized fit
PowerStep IPK Ball of Foot Cushions packaging, one pair, cushioning and pressure relief for intractable plantar keratoma (IPK), alleviate pressure from second or third ray dropped metatarsal heads and deep calluses, extra ball of foot cushioning pads and surrounds the IPK, ball of foot cushioning for men and women
PowerStep Ball of Foot Cushions for Intractable Plantar Keratoma (IPK), ball of foot cushions that allow the IPK to float suspended, features hollowed pressure relief area that eliminates pressure from second to third ray dropped metatarsal heads, blue
Intractable Plantar Keratoma ball of foot cushions for eliminating pressure from second and third ray metatarsal heads, extra ball of foot cushioning pad surrounds the IPK, ball of foot cushioning for men and women, pair with PowerStep orthotic insoles for a customized fit
PowerStep IPK Ball of Foot Cushions packaging, one pair, cushioning and pressure relief for intractable plantar keratoma (IPK), alleviate pressure from second or third ray dropped metatarsal heads and deep calluses, extra ball of foot cushioning pads and surrounds the IPK, ball of foot cushioning for men and women

IPK Ball of Foot Cushion Inserts

PowerStep Ball of Foot cushions are self-adhesive foam pad inserts placed directly under the ball of your foot to reduce pain from metatarsalgia. They relieve pressure in the front of your foot, so you can walk and move around without ball of foot pain.

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PowerStep Metatarsal Cushions for ball of foot pain, blue, transfers weight away from the metatarsal bones to relieve ball of foot pain, pair with PowerStep orthotic insoles for customized support and pain relief
Metatarsal cushions pair, blue, left and right metatarsal cushion, fits easily into most shoes without changing fit
PowerStep Metatarsal Relief Pads packaging, relieve metatarsal and forefoot pain, transfer weight away from the metatarsal bones to relieve pinched nerves, 1 pair
PowerStep Metatarsal Cushions for ball of foot pain, blue, transfers weight away from the metatarsal bones to relieve ball of foot pain, pair with PowerStep orthotic insoles for customized support and pain relief
Metatarsal cushions pair, blue, left and right metatarsal cushion, fits easily into most shoes without changing fit
PowerStep Metatarsal Relief Pads packaging, relieve metatarsal and forefoot pain, transfer weight away from the metatarsal bones to relieve pinched nerves, 1 pair

Metatarsal Foot Pads

Our metatarsal foot pads work as cushions to combat pain caused by metatarsalgia. Great for heels or dress shoes, they provide comfort to the ball of your foot and transfer weight away from the metatarsal bones to relieve pinched nerves.

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Pinnacle Plus with Met Orthotic Insoles

The Pinnacle Plus Met insoles provide cushioning and support while a built-in metatarsal pad spreads and supports the metatarsal heads to get rid of pain. These insoles are ideal for metatarsalgia, alleviating pain caused by the condition and other foot conditions that put pressure on the front of your foot and toes.

SHOP NOW
PowerStep Pinnacle Plus Met shoe insoles

PULSE® Plus with Met Running Shoe Insoles

PULSE Plus running shoe insoles with added metatarsal pad are designed to relieve and prevent pain from metatarsalgia. Made specifically for athletic shoes, these insoles have all the benefits of Pinnacle Plus with the addition of a ShockAbsorb™ Premium Foam layer for superior cushioning.

SHOP NOW
PowerStep PULSE Plus Met shoe insoles

IPK Ball of Foot Cushion Inserts

PowerStep Ball of Foot cushions are self-adhesive foam pad inserts placed directly under the ball of your foot to reduce pain from metatarsalgia. They relieve pressure in the front of your foot, so you can walk and move around without ball of foot pain.

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PowerStep IPK Ball of Foot Cushions to Customize Your PowerStep Insoles

Metatarsal Foot Pads

Our metatarsal foot pads work as cushions to combat pain caused by metatarsalgia. Great for heels or dress shoes, they provide comfort to the ball of your foot and transfer weight away from the metatarsal bones to relieve pinched nerves.

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PowerStep Metatarsal Cushions

FAQs about Ball of Foot Pain & Metatarsalgia

Have a question about what causes pain in the ball of your foot or other available treatment options? These frequently asked questions about metatarsalgia provide more information about the condition and how PowerStep insoles can help you get back to living a life without foot pain.

You can relieve pain in the ball of your foot using at-home treatments like resting and icing your foot. Our orthotic insole finder makes it easy to discover the right metatarsalgia insole that gives your feet the support and comfort they need to prevent and alleviate pain.

References:

Metatarsalgia - Symptoms and causes. (2019). Mayo Clinic.

Foot hurts when walking: Causes, treatment, and diagnosis. (2020, April 1). www.medicalnewstoday.com.

Metatarsalgia (Pain in the Ball of Your Foot) | Cleveland Clinic. (2019). Cleveland Clinic.

Customer satisfaction guarantee, if you are not satisfied with PowerStep orthotic shoe insoles, a return can be made within 30 days of purchase.

If you are not satisfied with PowerStep's arch supporting insoles, you can make a return to the point of purchase for a refund or exchange within 30 days of purchase.