Steven Neufeld, MD, Discusses Ball of Foot Pain

1. Steven Neufeld, MD, Discusses Ball
of Foot Pain

2. Steven Neufeld, MD, is a nationally
recognized orthopedic surgeon and specialist
in foot and ankle care. An instructor at the
Georgetown University School of Medicine
and George Washington University, he also
has teaching experience with the American
Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, the
American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society,
and the Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Fellows
Learning Center. Additionally, he is Director
of the Foot & Ankle Fellowship, where
orthopaedic surgeons from around the
country come to learn how to treat foot and
ankle conditions.

3. Ball of foot pain can make it difficult for
sufferers to walk or even wear shoes
comfortably. It is classified into three
categories: metatarsalgia, Morton’s neuroma,
and sesamoiditis.
Metatarsalgia is caused by poorly fitting
shoes or by overtaxing the feet through
excessive activity. Treatment for
metatarsalgia usually involves over-the-
counter remedies such as pain relievers,
shoe inserts, or shoe replacement.

4. Morton’s neuroma results from thickened
nerve tissues between the toes, leading to
foot pain, numbness in the ball of the foot,
and other abnormal sensations. The condition
can be caused by the use of high-heeled or
tight shoes. Treatment often involves pain
relievers and shoe inserts, but may require
steroid injections to treat inflammation, or
even surgery, in rare cases.

5. Sesamoiditis is foot pain caused by an injury
or inflammation of bones surrounding the big
toe. The most common forms of treatment for
sesamoiditis are foot rest, application of ice to
treat swelling, use of shoe inserts, offloading
pads, or a transition to low-heeled shoes.
Steroid injections and even surgery may
relieve severe cases.

6. Sesamoiditis is foot pain caused by an injury
or inflammation of bones surrounding the big
toe. The most common forms of treatment for
sesamoiditis are foot rest, application of ice to
treat swelling, use of shoe inserts, offloading
pads, or a transition to low-heeled shoes.
Steroid injections and even surgery may
relieve severe cases.