info@footandankleunit.co.za | +27 11 647 3735 | +27 11 485 1974 | +27 11 647 3435
PATHOLOGIES
FOREFOOT CONDITIONS
The forefoot plays a crucial role in weight-bearing and balance, and even minor deformities or pain in this area can affect mobility and quality of life. Our team diagnoses and treats a wide range of conditions affecting the toes and forefoot, from bunions and toe deformities to nerve entrapments and soft tissue masses. Whether your symptoms are mild or significantly impacting your daily activities, we provide personalised care designed to relieve pain and restore function.
Hallux valgus, commonly known as a bunion, is a deformity where the big toe (hallux) deviates laterally (toward the second toe), while the first metatarsal bone drifts medially. This results in a prominent bump on the inner side of the foot at the base of the big toe.
Hallux rigidus is a form of degenerative arthritis affecting the first metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint, the joint at the base of the big toe. It causes pain and stiffness, particularly during push-off when walking. Over time, the joint loses motion and may develop a bony bump (dorsal osteophyte), limiting shoe wear and activity.
Hammer, claw, mallet, and curly toes are all deformities affecting the toe joints. These conditions cause abnormal bending of the toes, leading to discomfort, difficulty wearing shoes, and sometimes pain with walking. Each condition involves different joints and degrees of toe misalignment.
Morton’s neuroma is a painful swelling or thickening of a digital nerve, usually between the 3rd and 4th toes (third intermetatarsal space). It is not a true tumour, but rather a benign enlargement of the nerve due to chronic irritation or compression.
Sesamoiditis is an overuse injury causing inflammation of the sesamoid bones, two small, pea-shaped bones embedded in the tendon beneath the big toe joint (first metatarsophalangeal joint). These bones act like pulleys, increasing the leverage of the tendon and helping you push off when you walk or run (Similar function to the patella in the knee).
A bunionette deformity (also known as Tailor’s Bunion) is a condition where there is a bony bump that forms on the outside of the foot, at the base of the little toe (fifth metatarsal). This deformity is similar to the more common bunion (hallux valgus), but instead of affecting the big toe, it affects the little toe and its surrounding joint.
Masses around the foot and ankle are abnormal lumps or swellings that can appear on or beneath the skin. These masses can vary in size, shape, and consistency, and may be either benign (non-cancerous) or, in rare cases, malignant (cancerous). The most common types of masses in the foot and ankle region include ganglion cysts, lipomas, bursitis, and soft tissue tumors. These masses can be associated with discomfort, cosmetic concerns, or pressure on surrounding structures, leading to pain or functional limitations.
