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Pain and irritation of the ball of the foot.

Metatarsalgia is pain in the ball of the foot. The ball is the part of the sole just behind the toes. Metatarsalgia can be caused by high-impact sports, having a foot with a high arch, excess weight, shoes that don't fit, stress fractures or a noncancerous growth on a nerve in the foot.

The pain can:

• Be sharp, aching or burning.
• Get worse with standing, running, walking or flexing the foot.
• Feel like a pebble in the shoe.

Treatment often includes ice, rest, shock-absorbing shoe insoles, shoes that fit well and pain relievers available without a prescription.