Service
Forefoot Pain
Assessment and treatment for bunions, Morton’s neuroma, hammertoes and other forefoot problems.
Overview
Forefoot pain can come from joint irritation, nerve compression or toe alignment issues. We assess the cause and make a plan to reduce pain.
Pain in the ball of the foot or toes has many possible causes — bunions, Morton’s neuroma, capsulitis, hammer toes — and they are managed differently, so an accurate assessment matters. Burning or tingling usually suggests nerve involvement, while sharp pain on push-off points to joint or soft tissue overload.
Most forefoot problems respond well to conservative care: pressure offloading with padding or toe props, footwear changes (often simply a wider toe box), and orthotics where load needs redistributing. A lot can be done before surgery ever needs to be considered.
Common conditions
- Bunions (hallux valgus)
- Morton’s neuroma or interdigital nerve irritation
- Hammer toes or claw toes
- Capsulitis or synovitis of the lesser toe joints
- Metatarsalgia (ball-of-foot pain)
- Sesamoiditis (big toe joint)
How we treat
- Detailed assessment of gait, load and footwear
- Pressure offloading and padding for sensitive areas
- Toe props, spacers and taping to improve alignment
- Strength and mobility exercises for forefoot stability
- Footwear updates, including a wider toe box where needed
- Custom or prefabricated orthotics when indicated
When to seek care
- Pain during walking, standing or push-off
- Burning or tingling between the toes or under the forefoot
- Visible toe changes, rubbing or recurrent corns and callus