Metatarsalgia refers to pain involving the metatarsal bones, which are the bones that are located behind the toes.  People with pain from this condition often experience pain in the ball of the foot.  Metatarsalgia can occur from a variety of causes including from length discrepancies of these bones, from hammertoes that cause pressure on the metatarsal bones, or from a structural problem behind the bones that results in excessive pressure in this part of the foot.  Metatarsalgia is commonly treated with orthotics, metatarsal pads, or modifications to the shoe that decrease the pressure on the painful bone(s).