What Causes Ball-of-Foot Pain in Children?

When your child complains of a persistent ache in the ball of their foot, it's something worth paying attention to. At PodiatryCare, PC, and the Heel Pain Center, we refer to this general pain as metatarsalgia, and it can be caused by a host of different pediatric issues. In this article, we’ll explore what those foot problems are and what to watch for.

Why Kids Get Metatarsalgia

In short, metatarsalgia in children is most commonly an overuse injury, whether from sports or from always running around. Let’s unpack this in more detail:

  • Sudden Increase in Activity: This is a big one. A child who was mostly inactive over the winter might jump straight into intense soccer practice, basketball, or running without gradually building up their strength. This sudden increase in load can overwhelm the metatarsal bones and the tissues around them. Think practice after a long summer of playing video games.

  • Improper Footwear: Too tight, too loose, or no cushioning is a recipe for ball-of-foot pain. Wearing the same pair of cleats from last season, for instance, is not advisable.

  • Foot Structure: If your child has a particularly high arch, it can put more pressure on the ball of the foot because the foot is less flexible. We determine arch shape for our patients routinely.

  • Growth Spurs: As your child goes through a growth spurt, the bones and muscles in their feet grow and change rapidly. This can sometimes create temporary biomechanical issues that stress the metatarsals.

Symptoms that Indicate Metatarsalgia

Since kids may not always be able to pinpoint the exact location or type of pain, it's helpful to look for these signs:

  • Complaining of pain in the ball of the foot that gets worse during or after sports.

  • Limping or changing the way they walk to avoid putting pressure on the front of their foot.

  • A visible callus forming around the ball of the foot, or a tenderness to the touch.

Conditions Metatarsalgia May Mimic

Because metatarsalgia is a general term for pain, it can be confused with other conditions. A podiatrist will carefully check for more specific issues like a stress fracture (a tiny crack in the bone) or a plantar plate tear (damage to the ligament stabilizing the toe joint).

Getting an accurate diagnosis is crucial because while rest and supportive shoes can help with metatarsalgia, a stress fracture requires more targeted care to heal properly.

At PodiatryCare, PC, and the Heel Pain Center, we treat a wide variety of foot and ankle ailments. Dr. Matthew Tschudy, Dr. Rebecca Wiesner, Dr. Kristen Winters, Dr. Laura Vander Poel, and the rest of our team are ready to serve our Hartford County patients. To schedule an appointment at our Enfield location, call (860) 741-3041; for an appointment at our South Windsor location, call (860) 644-6525.

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