Often caused by shoes that cramp the feet in the arch area, especially women's pumps, the condition is treatable medically through anti-inflammatory medication, padding, and orthoses. Repeated strain on the plantar fascia sometimes pulls away the band's attachment to the heel bone. Bony tissue may build up, creating a heel spur. In severe cases, surgery may be required. A general term for pain in the ball of the foot, metatarsalgia can be caused by many problems, such as tight shoes, calluses, and high heels.
Conservative treatment can effectively alleviate the pain of metatarsalgia.
Bunions and hammertoes. Although they tend to be hereditary, bunions and hammertoes are often aggravated by ill-fitting footwear. Bunions are misaligned big toe joints, which swell and become tender. Hammertoes result when the toes contract into a claw-like position. Enlarged, benign growths of nerves, most commonly between the third and fourth metatarsal bones, result in pain, burning, or a tingling sensation in the foot.