Last Thursday 08/11/2005 later in the day I started having my right foot ache, at first I thought it was my toes but then I started like massaging my toes and they didn't hurt, so I started pressing on the top of my foot just under my toes and the ball of my foot and then I discovered that is where the pain is. It is almost a week later and it certainly isn't getting any better and my foot just aches and it hurts to walk. My foot now is swelling. When I walk it hurts on the ball of my foot and the top of my foot. I have no idea what is going on. I did not do anything to my foot to make it start hurting or anything. Any ideas? How long should I wait before I go to the doctor? Thank you.

I would suggest seeing a doctor as soon as possible. The medical term for pain at the ball of the foot is metatarsalgia. You may want to consider trying an orthotic with a metatarsal pad. You can read more about metatarsalgia and conservative treatment on Foot.com.

Suzanne Belyea, DPM, C.Ped
Medical Director

Are you sure you didn't do ANYTHING? Think back. Different shoes? Do you run? Even wearing a cute uncomfortable pair of sandals can set you up for foot irritation. It might be metatarsalgia or it might be Morton's Neuroma. I had the same symptoms as you and it took quite a while to get over it....BUT I never saw a doctor (no insurance or money for that right now). Wear good shoes in the meantime and stay off your feet as much as you can to rest and use some ice (it is terrible on the feet, but really helps) for about 15 minute intervals (or as you can tolerate). If in a few days doing all that it still doesn't improve at all, call the doc for sure. Good luck!

I, too, have terrible front foot pain. It started a few days ago, just some minor pain when pressing on top of foot at base of toes. I seemed to notice slight worstening over 3 day period. Then...played golf yesterday and after 5 holes, I could barely walk to the car. Couldn't bend foot at all. Foot started to swell. Very painful. Applied ice last night and took Advil, but not better today. Doctor said take 800mg Advil 3 x day for 5 days for swelling. Also had xrays taken today to rule out stress fracture. From middle of foot back to heel is pain free. The only thing I did differently in the past month was to start power walking during lunch hour (45 minutes a day) Monday thru Friday for past 3 weeks or so. Think maybe I overdid it (too much too fast) and/or my New Balance athletic shoes are too small (too short and not wide enough across ball of foot). Does anyone else have an idea? I also found blood on the front of my sock (same foot) at the top of my toes, but could find no cut or reason for the blood. Could it be Sesamoiditis or Metatarsalgia?