Pain under the big toe, right where the ball of the foot meets the ground, can make every step feel like a reminder. The sources point to one condition worth knowing by name.
The short answer
One cause named by medical sources is sesamoiditis. AAOS OrthoInfo places sesamoiditis pain beneath the big toe, in the ball of the foot, and notes it may come on gradually.
What it can look like
Cleveland Clinic lists sesamoiditis symptoms that may include foot pain in the ball of your foot, under your big toe, difficulty bending your big toe, difficulty putting weight on the ball of your foot, and local swelling and tenderness to touch. It adds that sesamoiditis usually develops slowly.
If your pain started after a sports injury to the big toe, these pages on turf toe may also be worth reading: Cleveland Clinic's turf toe overview, the AAOS OrthoInfo page on turf toe and a study of 12-year results after turf toe surgery.
Cost, skill and whether you can undo it
Noticing and writing down your symptoms costs nothing and needs no training. Easing weight off the sore spot is a gentle, reversible step you can try today and stop whenever you like.
Making a symptom list for the big toe
Note which of the symptoms above you have, when they began and what makes them better or worse. Take that list to a podiatrist or foot and ankle surgeon. From Wood Dale, a local visit is a short trip.
Ask a professional if the pain keeps building, if bending the toe becomes difficult, or if you cannot comfortably put weight on the ball of your foot.
A note for your first time
Foot pain that creeps up slowly is easy to ignore until it gets in the way. Naming it and asking about it is a good first step, and you have just taken it.