Forefoot Conditions

Corns and Calluses

When your skin tries to protect itself against friction and pressure it develops thick, hardened layers known as a corn or callus. They can create mild discomfort usually caused by friction or pressure.

Hammer Toe, Mallet Toe, Claw Toe

These are exactly what they sound like – an abnormal bend in the toe that causes the toe to resemble a hammer, mallet or claw. The pain or pressure caused by these conditions can often be felt just by moving your toe and is often related to improper footwear that causes your toes to be forced against the front of your shoe.

Morton’s Neuroma (Morton’s Toe)

Morton’s neuroma also affects the ball of your foot and is caused by a thickening of the tissues around a nerve leading to your toes. Pain is most commonly felt between your third and fourth toes. The pain experienced is sometimes described as if feeling like you are standing on a pebble in your shoe or a burning sensation.

Painful Toes: Metatarsalgia

Metatarsalgia is pain and inflammation in the ball of your foot. It can feel like a sharp, aching or burning pain or numbness and tingling in your toes. The pain worsens when you flex your feet, stand, walk or run.

Sesamoiditis

Sesamoiditis affects the front of the foot and is an irritation of the sesamoid bones, the tiny bones in the tendons that run to the big toe. Pain usually begins as a mild ache and gradually increases as the bones become aggravated. It can build into an intense throbbing that may mean you need to decrease your activity.

​If you’re experiencing chronic foot pain that is keeping you from participating in your normal activities, or you’d like more information about one of the topics above, contact the team at the Surrey Orthopaedic Clinic. We believe feet shouldn’t hurt and neither should their treatment.