I have had swelling and mild pain in the ball of my left foot between the first and second metatarsals for about 6 months. I finally went to the Orthopedic Surgeon who could apply pressure with his thumb and really make it hurt. I can feel a hard lump that is not present in my other foot. The surgeon guessed a stress fracture, but the X-ray showed nothing. He then sent me for an MRI, which showed a dark spot, but nothing that looked like a tumor, according to the surgeon. Both the surgeon and the Radiologist are baffled. He wants to give me a cortisone shot next to see if it goes away. I am concerned to know what it is and what caused it and how to prevent it from recurring.
Any insights on what it is and what the preferred treatment is would be appreciated.