Market Street Clinic
Forefoot Pain
Forefoot or metatarsal pain, often known as metatarsalgia, describes discomfort and inflammation in the ball of the foot. This type of pain can be mild or severe, depending on the underlying cause, which may involve the bones, tendons, ligaments, nerves, or joint structures.
Common causes include:
- Repetitive Overuse or Trauma: Activities or footwear that place excessive stress on the forefoot often contribute to symptoms.
- Systemic Conditions: Diseases such as gout can also cause inflammation and pain in the forefoot.
Typical conditions treated at our clinic include:
- Arthritis (joint wear and tear)
- Gout (uric acid crystal buildup)
- Morton’s neuroma (nerve compression causing pain, tingling, or numbness)
- Stress fractures (often from overuse)
- Bursitis (inflammation of joint lining)
- Capsulitis (joint capsule inflammation)
- Hallux valgus (bunions)
- Hallux rigidus (stiff or painful big toe joint)
- Sesamoiditis (inflammation of small bones under the big toe)
- Plantar plate tears (ligament injury under the toes)
For acute forefoot pain, RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation) is recommended. Chronic or severe discomfort should be professionally assessed.
Typical conditions treated at our clinic include:
- Arthritis (joint wear and tear)
- Gout (uric acid crystal buildup)
- Morton’s neuroma (nerve compression causing pain, tingling, or numbness)
- Stress fractures (often from overuse)
- Bursitis (inflammation of joint lining)
- Capsulitis (joint capsule inflammation)
- Hallux valgus (bunions)
- Hallux rigidus (stiff or painful big toe joint)
- Sesamoiditis (inflammation of small bones under the big toe)
- Plantar plate tears (ligament injury under the toes)
For acute forefoot pain, RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation) is recommended. Chronic or severe discomfort should be professionally assessed.
