Pain in ball of foot

by Miriam
(New Zealand)

My left foot got uncomfortable, then painful during Friday. I sat down rather than standing when I could, it got worse through the evening. It was an achy pain when standing and an uncomfortable swollen feeling when sitting. I couldn't bend the foot, the toe joints hurt too much.

Next day, Saturday, it remained painful and by the evening it was hard to get to sleep that night as the foot was so sore, even with no weight on it. Friday night and Saturday I was at a singing workshop, so did quite a bit of standing, keeping my weight off the foot and sitting down when I could.
Sunday morning I woke up and the foot did not hurt and was not swollen. I had another day at the singing workshop, and stood without discomfort all day. Today is Monday, and the foot continues to be fine, no pain.
So a sudden swelling, with pain, that moved from pain when weight was on it to pain even when no weight was on it. Then magically ok again.
What might it be?

Hi Miriam,
I always tell my patients that any pain that goes away on its own, is a good pain.
More than likely you strained something and although it hurt for a few days, it ran its course and is gone.
If the pain should return you might want to see a foot specialist to find the cause.
Marc Mitnick DPM