pain/numbness in ball of foot

I have been having pain off and on for the last year on the bottom of my foot.  It is at the bottom of the metarsal of the second toe.  I thought  it was my shoes, so I changed them.  But then I noticed with time, that even after changing my shoes it still hurt.  

I have callouses in that area (ball of foot), so I filed them down.  It was better for a day, but then it was back.  It is not constant pain, but I also have tingling and numbness, and sometimes I have this shooting pain that seems to go from the bottom of my foot, upward.

I usually feel a little better when I take my shoes off.  But lately (and especially last night) it has really been bothering me.  I have been having an aching tingling feeling in it no matter what position I try to get into.

It is only in one foot.  Can anyone please suggest what this could be?  Should my doctor make me go to a specialist?  And if so, what kind?  

Any information would be appreciated!

Thanks
Pam

[Christopher R Newey, DO]

Thanks for using the forum. I am happy to address your questions, and my answer will be based on the information you provided here. Please make sure you recognize that this forum is for educational purposes only, and it does not substitute for a formal office visit with a doctor.

Without the ability to examine and obtain a history, I can not tell you what the exact cause of the symptoms is. However I will try to provide you with some useful information.

You may have a Morton or Hauser neuroma which is an enlargement of a nerve in the foot typically caused by repetitive trauma. It is a common condition without a clear etiology. The symptoms include localized pain that may have radiation and is typically unilateral. Diagnosis is made by the history and physical examination. Treatment includes changing shoe gear, stretching, foot orthoses, local steroid injections, but the definitive treatment is excision.

I would suggest you follow up with a podiatrist for further evaluation and to ensure there is not another process occurring.

Thank you for this opportunity to answer your questions, I hope you find the information I have provided useful, good luck.