The
internal support and structure of the forefoot consists of five metatarsal bones that originate in the midfoot and
descend at an angle to meet the toes. Each of the five metatarsal bones
terminate at the metatarsal phalangeal joints (mpj's). The plantar, or
bottom aspect of the mpj is often called the ball of the foot. Due to the
amount of load bearing applied to the forefoot in walking and running, the
forefoot is prone to a number of different injuries.
The distal portion of the forefoot consists of the 1st mpj and the
lesser mpj's (2-5). The great toe joint (1st mpj) is a bit unique in that
the anatomy of the great toe joint is a bit different than that of the lesser
mpj's. To a degree, the lesser mpj's act independently of the 1st mpj.
Therefore , any discussion of forefoot conditions should be broken into those
problems specific to the 1st mpj and those problems specific to the lesser mpj's
(2-5).
The following is a list of common forefoot conditions. To
find more information about these conditions, follow the highlighted link.
Forefoot conditions specific to the 1st mpj.
1.
Bunion
2.
Gout
3.
Hallux limitus
4.
Hallux rigidus
5.
Pseudogout
6.
Sesamoid fractures
7.
Sesamoiditis
8.
Turf toe
Forefoot conditions specific to the lesser mpj's (2-5).
1.
Bursitis
2.
Capsulitis
3.
Freiberg's Infraction
4.
Metatarsalgia
5.
Morton's Neuroma
6.
Metatarsal stress fractures
7.
Tailors%20bunion
