Metatarsalgia Treatment in Moncton

Pain in the ball of your foot? Here’s how to fix it properly.

If you’re dealing with pain in the ball of your foot in Moncton or Dieppe, there’s a good chance it’s metatarsalgia.

We see this often in the clinic. The good news is that in most cases, it improves quickly when the cause is properly addressed.

What is metatarsalgia?

Metatarsalgia is a general term for pain in the ball of the foot, usually under the metatarsal heads (just behind the toes).

This area takes a lot of pressure when you walk, especially during push-off. When that pressure becomes too high or uneven, it leads to irritation and pain.

Common symptoms

  • Pain in the ball of the foot
  • Burning or aching under the toes
  • Feeling like you’re walking on a pebble
  • Pain that worsens with standing or walking
  • Relief when you take weight off your foot

This page is for you if:

  • You feel pain under the ball of your foot when walking
  • It feels like you’re stepping on a pebble
  • You stand or walk a lot for work
  • Your pain gets worse in certain shoes

Why it happens (this is the key part)

Metatarsalgia is almost always caused by too much pressure in the wrong place over time.
The most common causes we see:

  • Dropped or weakened transverse arch
  • Tight calf muscles increasing forefoot pressure
  • Certain foot types (high arch, flat feet)
  • Thinning of the natural fat pad under the forefoot
  • Wearing unsupportive or worn-out footwear
  • High-impact activities or long hours on your feet

Most treatments fail because they don’t actually reduce that pressure.

What actually works?

The goal is simple.
Reduce pressure under the ball of the foot and redistribute it more evenly.

1. Proper offloading (most important)

  • Custom foot orthotics with built-in metatarsal support 
  • Supportive footwear 

Custom orthotics are designed to redistribute pressure away from painful areas, including targeted support under the forefoot when needed.

2. Footwear changes (this is often overlooked)

Shoes play a major role in reducing pressure on the ball of the foot.

We typically recommend:

  • Good cushioning 
  • Proper arch support 
  • Enough room in the toe box 
  • Rocker-soled shoes (to reduce pressure during push-off) 

Rocker soles help by reducing how much your forefoot bends when you walk, which takes stress off the painful area.

In many cases, simply switching to the right footwear can significantly reduce pain.

Not every shoe works for every foot, which is why we make sure you’re in the right footwear based on your specific needs.

3. Stretching and mobility

  • Calf stretching 
  • Foot mobility exercises 

These reduce the amount of force going through the front of the foot.

4. Activity adjustments

  • Reduce high-impact activity temporarily 
  • Avoid walking barefoot on hard surfaces 

Small changes can significantly reduce irritation.

Why orthotics help metatarsalgia

Custom orthotics are designed to redistribute pressure away from the ball of the foot.
They help by:

  • Offloading pressure from painful areas
  • Supporting the arch to improve weight distribution
  • Adding targeted support under the forefoot
  • Improving overall foot mechanics

This is why they are one of the most effective long-term solutions for ball of foot pain.

When should you get it checked?

If you’ve had pain in the ball of your foot for more than a couple of weeks, it’s worth getting assessed.

The longer it goes on, the more stubborn it tends to become and can lead to other issues like nerve irritation.

How we help at Shoe Tree Foot Clinic

At Shoe Tree Foot Clinic, we focus on identifying exactly where the pressure is coming from and correcting it.

  • Full biomechanical assessment
  • Gait analysis
  • Custom-made orthotics (made in-house for faster turnaround)
  • Footwear recommendations tailored to your needs

We regularly help people with metatarsalgia reduce or eliminate their pain once the pressure is properly addressed.

Our goal is simple.
Help you walk comfortably without pain.

Ready to fix your foot pain?

If you’re dealing with ball of foot pain or metatarsalgia, it’s worth getting it assessed sooner rather than later.

We can identify exactly what’s causing the pressure and show you what will actually fix it.

Frequently asked questions

In many cases, symptoms improve from a few days to a few weeks once pressure is properly reduced. Longer-standing cases may take more time.

It can, but if the underlying pressure isn’t addressed, it often comes back.

Yes. They are one of the most effective ways to reduce pressure on the ball of the foot and prevent recurrence.

We explain when to see a pedorthist vs a podiatrist here: