Forefoot Pain

The ball of your foot is a complex network of bones, muscles, ligaments, joint capsules and nerves. A through history, detailed questioning and expert knowledge of the anatomy of the foot is required to identify your painful structure so that we can effectively relieve your pain. Below is a list of common conditions we regularly assess, diagnose and treat.

Morton's Neuromas are usually characterised by shooting, burning pain from the ball of the foot to the toes, often affecting the 3rd and 4th toes. Tight fitting footwear often makes it worse. Effective treatment involves avoiding aggravating footwear and offloading the pressure on the nerve.

Fat Pad Atrophy is a condition that can occur when the cushion under the ball of your foot thins or moves forward resulting in less support and shock absorption resulting in corns, callus and foot pain and injuries.

Hammer/claw toe deformities can form and become painful when your toes claw for more stability or as a result of a neurological condition such as diabetic neuropathy. Conservative care can stretch, strengthen and offload structures.

Plantar plate disruption is a condition which most commonly resulting in pain under the joint and hammering of the 2nd or 3rd toes. This condition is commonly related to poor functioning of the foot. It is a common concern that is important to have treated as early as possible.

Capsulitis is an inflammation of the joint capsule causing pain especially exacerbated when toeing off in your gait.

Sesamoiditis refers to inflammation/injury of the sesamoid bones, the 2 tiny bones within tendon under your big toe.

Stress Fractures are small fractures in your bone which result due to repetitive loading such as walking, running or playing sport.

Intermetatarsal Bursitis is caused when fluid filled sacks between your metatarsal joints become inflamed and painful.

Metatarsalgia is a general umbrella term for forefoot pain beneath the ball of the foot or just before the toes.

Effective management is directed towards targeting the cause of your pain, offloading and de-stressing the affected region within your shoe, keeping you active at work and play while you heal. Sometimes we arrange a moon boot if needed however in most situations it is as simple as footwear modifications and in shoe orthoses.

Our podiatrists in Wagga and surrounds as well as our podiatrists in Albury and Wodonga all have expertise and experience in assessing, diagnosing and relieving your forefoot pain.