Pain at the bottom of my foot

Excess pressure on your forefoot can cause pain and inflammation in your metatarsals — the long bones in the front of your feet, just below your toes. Metatarsalgia met-uh-tahr-SAL-juh is a condition in which the ball of your foot becomes painful and inflamed. You might develop it if you participate in activities that involve running and jumping. There are other causes as well, including foot deformities and shoes that are too tight or too loose. Although generally not serious, metatarsalgia can sideline you. Fortunately, at-home treatments, such as ice and rest, often relieve symptoms.

If spending more time at home due to COVID has meant less time wearing shoes or sporting your favorite pair of slippers , sandals, or flip flops , you may be experiencing more foot pain than usual. Or, if you've added at-home workouts to your schedule, not wearing the proper footwear or working out barefoot more often could also be causing issues with your feet. Either way, foot pain is alarmingly common: 77 percent of people say they have experienced significant foot pain, according to research by the American Podiatric Medical Association. Specifically within the current stay-at-home period, there's been a rise in certain conditions involving heel pain and nerve pain in between the toes, in part because people aren't wearing supportive shoes, says Grace Torres-Hodges , DPM, a podiatrist based in Pensacola, Florida, and APMA spokesperson. And causes of foot pain can range from injury and inflammation to structural issues and maladaptations. If you have no underlying foot conditions, you might not have any foot pain from going barefoot in the house. But if you have previously diagnosed foot injuries, bare feet are not the best idea.

Feet are complex structures of bones, muscles, tendons, nerves, and more. You rely on your feet to carry you through the day, but if they hurt, this can impact your ability to function and enjoy life. David B.

Metatarsalgia is the name given to pain in the front part of your foot under the heads of your metatarsal bones - the ball of your foot. Metatarsalgia can be caused by a number of different conditions affecting the foot. You may need some investigations to find the cause of your metatarsalgia. Treatment will depend on the underlying cause.