Re: Pain in ball of foot.

This certainly sounds like bursitis. I had that about 18 months ago. It came on suddenly and was excruciating. The cause is a buildup of crystals within the 1st joint of the big toe. It was easily corrected by meds that the Dr. prescribed.
My pain was more like a knife being stabbed into that joint.
See your Dr ASAP. It won't go away by it's self.
Best of luck to hubby.

Re: Pain in ball of foot.

I have the same problems with my feet and have been told I have plantar fascitis and it can be excruciatingly painful.

Your husband should see a podiatrist who may provide specially made insoles which will help to some extent. There are also exercises - keep a bottle of water in your freezer and roll that forward and back with the affected foot.

I have a very high arch and very wide feet and although I used to wear a size 5.5 shoe, I now wear size 7 for the extra width.........and I also need extra depth to accommodate the insoles.

Hope he gets sorted out soon.

Re: Pain in ball of foot.

You should check this with your doctor but it sounds to me like plantar fasciitis. You can look this up yourself. A good podiatrist can help with exercises that can ease it.

Re: Pain in ball of foot.

Could it be gout ?

Re: Pain in ball of foot.

Absolutely it could be I think. In any event he should seek proper medical advice and also see a podiatrist.

Re: Pain in ball of foot.

I wondered that too?

Re: Pain in ball of foot.

Plantar faciitis could be the problem, but the pain is usually closer to the heel.... although I have had the pain in the arch of my foot.
Often it is more painful in the morning, when you get up, but a Physio can give you some exercises to help, if this is what is causing it.
The pain feels like you have a pebble in your shoe, so look it up on the NHS website is you need more info.

Re: Pain in ball of foot.

Twink ,planter faciitis is what I was thinking too, I had it some years ago, it was the worst pain ever, gp gave me anti inflammatories and I had to put a bag of ice ...or frozen peas under my foot, that did relieve it , but at the start I couldn't put my foot down at all...

Re: Pain in ball of foot.

I know what you mean, it is very painful & even when you think it is better, it can come back. It is caused by inflamed tendons & I always believed high heeled shoes caused it... but I don't think Carols husband will have been wearing them!
Most podiatrists don't know what causes it but they can suggest some regular foot exercises, and so can physiotherapists, that really help because they stretch your Achilles tendon & they are not too painful to do!

Re: Pain in ball of foot.

Tony says it feels a bit better today.

The gout theory could be right.

Tony does suffer from gout quite often. Over the years it's totally disfigured his feet but I've never heard of it occurring on the ball of the foot!

Whatever it is it seems to be improving slightly & he has some gel ball of feet insoles coming on Monday.

Thanks for the replies everyone.