Q: What if pain in the ball of my foot shoots into the toes?

A: A common cause for this type of pain in the ball of the foot is a condition known as a neuroma, which is basically a pinched, inflamed nerve at the ball of the foot. It can be aggravated by tight-fitting shoes, squatting, and walking barefooted, especially on hard surfaces. A (nicely given) cortisone injection can relieve the pain and inflammation. Prescription shoe inserts called “orthotics” with special padding to relieve pressure from the balls of the feet are extremely helpful, long-term. There is another type of injection that can permanently put the nerve to sleep if cortisone does not provide enough relief.