There's a peculiar discomfort which may happen beneath the forefoot which is often referred to as a sense that a sock is bunched up under the toes, however when you checked it it is not. The sensation is frequently referred to and it is typically baffling. Most likely the actual sensation is caused by a problem with a ligament on the base of one or more of the metatarsophalangeal (toe) joints of the foot termed plantar plate dysfunction. About every joint, there's a strong covering called the joint capsule. Parts of each joint capsule are thicker and these are the ligaments that protect and stabilise the joints. Underneath the bottom of the metatarsophalangeal joints, that joint capsule is thicker to make what is called the plantar plate. It is possible to strain and even get a minor split in that plantar plate, that creates that experience of a sock that feels as though its scrunched up under the toes.
Pain usually begins slowly below the ball of the foot and may be preceded by that weird bunched sock sensation. The common symptom of plantar plate dysfunction is pain on palpation of the vicinity of the plantar plate. A competent clinician can move the joint in a manner to identify when the plantar plate is impaired. A conclusive diagnosis may be done having a diagnostic ultrasound, but it can be pretty evident to a competent clinician on assessment. Ordinarily the initial treatment solutions are taping to hold the toe pointing down to ease the force on the plantar plate. A metatarsal pad can be commonly used to help in reducing the load on the ligament. This usually will help many instances of plantar plate dysfunction and get rid of that weird experience of a bunched up sock beneath the ball of the foot. When those conservative methods do not help, surgical repair of the partial or complete tear of the plantar plate is commonly carried out.