BALL OF FOOT PAIN TREATMENT

What Is Ball of Foot Pain (Metatarsalgia)?

Ball of foot pain, or metatarsalgia, is a common and often frustrating foot condition that causes aching, burning, or sharp pain under the forefoot—just beneath the toes. It often feels like you're walking on a pebble and can worsen when wearing high heels or walking barefoot on hard surfaces.

Why Does Ball of Foot Pain Happen?

Over time, the fat pad that cushions the ball of the foot naturally thins and shifts, leaving the delicate bones and nerves exposed to more pressure and friction during walking, standing, or exercising. This fat pad loss is a normal part of aging but can be accelerated by foot structure issues, high-heeled shoes, or repetitive stress.

Other contributing factors may include:

• High-heeled or poorly supportive footwear

• Morton’s neuroma (a nerve irritation often mistaken for metatarsalgia)

• Arthritis or joint inflammation

• Overuse from running or high-impact activities

Dr. Krista Archer’s Advanced Approach to Ball of Foot Pain

At her Upper East Side podiatry office in NYC, Dr. Krista Archer offers advanced, minimally invasive solutions to relieve ball of foot pain, restore comfort, and help patients return to their favorite shoes—yes, even high heels.

Non-Surgical Treatment Options

• Custom orthotics to redistribute weight and cushion the forefoot

• Shoe padding, inserts, or modifications to reduce pressure

• Activity and footwear modifications to prevent further fat pad loss

• Anti-inflammatory therapies and cortisone injections for pain and swelling

Sculptra for Foot Padding Restoration

For patients suffering from fat pad loss at the ball of the foot, Dr. Archer offers a cosmetic foot padding solution using Sculptra®—a dermal filler typically used for the face.

Sculptra (poly-L-lactic acid) is an FDA-approved injectable filler for facial volume restoration. Though used off-label in the foot, it has become a popular solution among women looking to restore padding and reduce pain when wearing high heels. Unlike other fillers, Sculptra stimulates your body’s own collagen production, creating thicker, cushioned skin that can last up to a year.

Key facts about Sculptra for feet:

• Performed in-office with minimal downtime

• Helps women comfortably wear high heels again

• Not covered by insurance (considered cosmetic)

• Effects are longer-lasting compared to traditional fillers

Why Choose Dr. Archer to Treat Your Foot Pain?

With her dual expertise in podiatric surgery and cosmetic foot care, Dr. Archer takes a comprehensive, aesthetic-conscious approach to forefoot pain. Whether you need orthotics, advanced regenerative treatments, or are exploring Sculptra foot rejuvenation, she will tailor a plan that gets you walking pain-free—and in style.