Inflammation at the ball of the foot

An inflammation of the ball of the foot can take its starting point from several structures on the foot. When we speak of an inflammation of the ball of the foot, we can mean an inflammation of the tendon sheath (tendovaginitis), an inflammation of the joints (arthritis) or an inflammation of the periosteum (periostitis).

Symptoms

The symptoms of soccer inflammation can usually be described as the classic signs of inflammation. The ball of the foot hurts, especially under stress, and is swollen. In addition, there is often a distinct redness and overheating. Due to the pain and partly also due to the somewhat unpleasant feeling of tension caused by the swelling, movement is restricted.

Cause

There are many factors that can lead to inflammation of the soccer. Wearing bad shoes or walking frequently in high heels leads to an incorrect load on the foot and consequently to an inflammation of the soccer. Malformations such as a splayfoot can also be the cause of bunion inflammation.

The reason for this is also incorrect weight bearing. In addition to incorrect weight-bearing, simple overloading of the foot can also lead to an inflammatory reaction at the balls of the feet. Here, obesity must be mentioned, where the heavy weight on the legs and feet places considerably more strain on the feet than is actually intended.

In the context of gout, the basic joints of the toes can also be affected by deposits and then react with an inflammation. Furthermore, basic illnesses such as rheumatoid arthritis can trigger an inflammation of the foot. Injuries and trauma can also cause inflammation, especially if there is insufficient cleaning and treatment of open injuries. As with any inflammatory reaction, an inflammation of the soccer can be triggered by bacteria, viruses or fungi that have been introduced in any way.

Therapy

The therapy of an inflammation of the soccer depends on its cause. If bad footwear is found to be the cause, it must be avoided at all costs. Until the inflammation subsides, general measures against inflammation such as anti-inflammatory and pain-reducing ointments and cooling of the foot are recommended.

A bandage can be used as a support in the event of incorrect or excessive strain. If there is an underlying disease, the focus is on its therapy. In the case of obesity, weight reduction is the primary goal of the treatment, since this is the only way to provide the foot with meaningful relief. Rheumatoid arthritis is primarily treated with so-called basic therapeutics or DMARDs (=Disease Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs) such as Methotrexate. If bacteria are the trigger of the inflammation, antibiotics are used.