Does Pain in the Ball of the Foot Indicate a Bone Spur?

By Staff WriterLast Updated December 04, 2023

Pain in the ball of the foot does not always mean a bone spur is present. Pain in the ball of the foot may indicate other problems, such as plantar fasciitis, Morton’s neuroma or metatarsalgia, according to WebMD.

Since the foot is a complex structure of tendons, ligaments and bones, heel and foot pain can come from a variety of sources, states Cleveland Clinic. Plantar fasciitis and bone spurs have similar pains associated with them, according to WebMD. Bone spur pain often feels like a knife or pin sticking in the bottom of the foot when a person first stands up in the morning, and the pain returns when a person stands up after a prolonged period of time sitting. The pain later turns into a dull ache.