Ball of foot pain

[Ecclesiastes3_4]

After my school's social dancing last night, the ball of my left foot began to hurt. Today, it still hurts, is downright painful and a little swollen.

Since this is probably something everyone here has dealt with, are there any tricks for preventing it or helping it heal faster? I've been popping ibuprofen which has helped, and trying to stay off my feet as much as possible since I am dancing in a showcase tomorrow night.

Any thoughts? It's driving me bonkers!

[megeliz]

If you're not already, maybe wearing practice heels? As a westie, practice sandals are our footwear of choice, and for good reason - at our dance events, I'll easily wear them all weekend long, dancing until 4, 5, 6, 7 in the morning (and then pop a few Ibuprofin when I finally head up to the room, HUUUUGE help!). Also, I find switching my shoes out in the middle of the night can help, as my 2 main pairs fit a little differently, and the slight change can help alleviate ball of foot pain.

[danceronice]

What kind of shoes were you wearing?

If the swelling doesn't go down or keeps recurring, I'd see a doctor as it could be a stress fracture. More likely, your shoes didn't cushion your foot enough. I'd try alternating ice and heat on it, but again if it doesn't get better or comes back I'd see a doctor.

[fascination]

bottom or side?

[Ecclesiastes3_4]

danceronice: I was wearing my practice shoes, which have a 2" heel and a little more padding than my Latin shoes which have zero padding.

It's 90% better today and doesn't feel swollen anymore, but I will definitely keep an eye on it. A stress fracture was my first thought :confused:.

fascination: Bottom and center.

[fascination]

then I am guessing you simply bruised it...

[leee]

If it gets to a point where you feel you have to seek medical attention, go to a podiatrist as opposed to a GP; in my experience with pain in my toe and the ball of my feet, the GP I saw wasn't as effective as the podiatrist, so that was a month of prolonged gimpiness that I could've avoided. (The podiatrist was able to get me on some meds that really work, plus I'm getting some custom orthotics out of it too.)

[rbazsz]

You probably are probably in the early stages of plantar fasciitis. You need to do heel stretches. The problem with me, and almost anybody else, is that once we feel better we start getting lazy on the stretches. You also need proper heel supports that only a podiatrist can make for you.

If you ignore my warning look forward to lots more pain, and surgery. Gone untreated you will get heel spurs among other things.

[opendoor]

..was wearing my practice shoes, which have a 2" heel ..

My dp usually wears 4 inch dance shoes. Sometimes she starts with dance sneakers and then the ball pain always will come, too. Think the missing support in the middle part may be a reason.

[leee]

You probably are probably in the early stages of plantar fasciitis. You need to do heel stretches. The problem with me, and almost anybody else, is that once we feel better we start getting lazy on the stretches. You also need proper heel supports that only a podiatrist can make for you.

If you ignore my warning look forward to lots more pain, and surgery. Gone untreated you will get heel spurs among other things.

If she were developing plantar fasciitis, that is -- I've been scolded by my podiatrist for doing plantar stuff which I probably didn't even have and the "solutions" to which may have aggravated my actual condition more. The best course of action (beyond rest, and maybe ice) is to seek the opinion of a medical professional.