Ball of Foot Pain

dirtballer

Professional
For a couple weeks I had mild pain under my middle toe after playing. Last week in the middle of a match the pain escalated to stronger pain in the ball of my foot. I've had plantar fasciitis in the heel before but I never had a ball of the foot problem. I already wear heel orthotics. I've tried googling the problem but haven't found too much assistance. Anyone have any recommendations?
 

Fintft

G.O.A.T.
It only happened to me (and to a lighter, younger college player) when using Asiscs Gel Resolution 5, due to lack of frontal support, started with that model #, I think.(that's what the vendors say as well) on hard courts only (I'm fine on clay with the same shoe, clay version, bc clay is software)

Pain went away right away when switching to Nike air Courtballistecs and now to Nike Lunar Ballistecs. I also started to use Dr Scholl's active insoles (after getting plantar fasciitis for a bit last summer in Barricades 8, which I've also ditched).
 

tlm

G.O.A.T.
For a couple weeks I had mild pain under my middle toe after playing. Last week in the middle of a match the pain escalated to stronger pain in the ball of my foot. I've had plantar fasciitis in the heel before but I never had a ball of the foot problem. I already wear heel orthotics. I've tried googling the problem but haven't found too much assistance. Anyone have any recommendations?

I have had this pain in the past and it sucks. I use Spenco full length orthotic insoles, but I cut out some small sections of foam from old insoles and put them under the arch support so the arch does not collapse. This puts more pressure on the arch of the foot and keeps it off the heel and balls of my feet. This works for Plantars and the pain in the balls of your feet.

When my wife had Plantars fasciitis years back a foot doctor showed her this trick. Instead of over priced custom orthotics he just built up the arch support on her sole insoles that she was using and it helped. So when I had the pain in the ball of my foot especially the right one from pivoting I added about a half inch of foam just in the arch section and it worked great. I do not play any tennis without this set up and have not had any more pain in the balls of my feet.
 

Fintft

G.O.A.T.
I have had this pain in the past and it sucks. I use Spenco full length orthotic insoles, but I cut out some small sections of foam from old insoles and put them under the arch support so the arch does not collapse. This puts more pressure on the arch of the foot and keeps it off the heel and balls of my feet. This works for Plantars and the pain in the balls of your feet.

When my wife had Plantars fasciitis years back a foot doctor showed her this trick. Instead of over priced custom orthotics he just built up the arch support on her sole insoles that she was using and it helped. So when I had the pain in the ball of my foot especially the right one from pivoting I added about a half inch of foam just in the arch section and it worked great. I do not play any tennis without this set up and have not had any more pain in the balls of my feet.

The Dr Scholl's active insoles have plastic reinforcement in the arch, mind you ("for better lateral stability") and I prefer them to any other insoles I've tried.
 

tlm

G.O.A.T.
The Dr Scholl's active insoles have plastic reinforcement in the arch, mind you ("for better lateral stability") and I prefer them to any other insoles I've tried.

The Spenco insoles I am talking about also have plastic reinforcement in the arch and I feel they are much better than any Dr Scholl's insole. But regardless wether they have the plastic they will still start to compress after time and not keep as much pressure in the arch area. That's why I add the support under the plastic reinforcement, this maintains the original support and will not let the insole collapse with time.
 

tennis1111

Semi-Pro
For a couple weeks I had mild pain under my middle toe after playing. Last week in the middle of a match the pain escalated to stronger pain in the ball of my foot. I've had plantar fasciitis in the heel before but I never had a ball of the foot problem. I already wear heel orthotics. I've tried googling the problem but haven't found too much assistance. Anyone have any recommendations?

Ice it 3 times a day for 10 minutes and it will go away. Change shoes and get some custom made insoles ASP.
 

Lefty5

Hall of Fame
You have to strengthen it. Put small sock or a small ball on the floor and pick it up with the bottom of your foot. Repeat it as many times as you can do it, at least once a day, until it goes away.
 

dirtballer

Professional
You have to strengthen it. Put small sock or a small ball on the floor and pick it up with the bottom of your foot. Repeat it as many times as you can do it, at least once a day, until it goes away.
Lefty5, I did your recommended exercises for one day and my foot felt better today than it has for a month. Thank you. Also, thanks to everyone else who gave me advice. The improvement may have been a sum total of everything.
 

Lefty5

Hall of Fame
so glad that worked for you. I had that pain once as well, did that exercise for less than a week, totally gone. If it ever even kinda flares up, I do it for a day and it goes away.
 
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