Common Podiatric Conditions
Dr Moore is a highly experienced podiatric surgeon with over 30 years of experience. With a specialized focus on complex nerve issues, she continues to diagnose, manage and treat traditional foot and ankle problems.
Dr. Moore combines her expertise in bio-mechanical foot and ankle surgery with advanced training in nerve care and microsurgery to help patients find answers to complex, hard-to-diagnose pain.
Submit our contact form or give us a call at (612) 353-9112
Get in Touch
"*" indicates required fields
Traditional Podiatric Foot and Ankle Conditions
Image of Condition
Name of Condition
Bunions (HalluxValgus)
Cause
Heredity; Imbalance of muscle crossing the great toe joint.
Location
Great Toe
Symptoms
Pain at Bone Prominence on the Base of the Great Toe; Redness, Swelling at the Joint
*Persistent Pain after Traditional Surgery or Trauma might not be a normal part of recovery, but rather a sign of an underlying nerve-related condition.
Image of Condition
Name of Condition
Hammer Toes
Cause
Hereditary/Foot Structure; Imbalance of Tendons crossing the forefoot; Trauma.
Location
Lesser Digits (Toes other than the Great Toe)
Symptoms
Pain with Pressure on the Toes: Calluses and Blisters.
Image of Condition
Name of Condition
Flat foot (Pes Planus)
Cause
Hereditary; Loose Ligaments, Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction (PTTD)- weakened tendon in the foot arch; Trauma, Tarsal Coalition- abnormally connected bones in hind-foot.
Location
Entire Foot
Symptoms
Pain or Aching in Foot or Ankle; Cramping in Foot or Leg, Fatigue in Foot or Legs; Stiffness
Image of Condition
Name of Condition
Arthritic Foot
Cause
Repetitive Stress; Aging Injury or Trauma; Underlying Foot Structure
Location
May occur in any joint of the foot
Symptoms
Aching Pain; Stiffness; Swelling; Reduced Motion; Difficulty with Shoes.
Image of Condition
Name of Condition
Bone Spurs
Cause
Osteoarthritis at a Joint: Repetitive Stress; Tight Ligament or Tendon.
Location
Entire Foot
Symptoms
Pain with Shoe Pressure; Redness and Swelling: Limited Motion at Joint; Corns or Calluses; Pain from Pressure on Tendons and Nerves.
Image of Condition
Name of Condition
Achilles Tendon Pain
Cause
Overuse Injury; Sudden Increase in Activity; Tight Calf Muscle; Improper Footwear.
Location
Back of the Lower Leg just above the Ankle.
Symptoms
Pain and Stiffness; Weakness; Swelling; Thickening of the Tendon; Palpable bump in the Tendon.
Start Feeling Better
Submit our contact form or give us a call at (612) 353-9112 to talk to our dedicated and compassionate team.
Chronic forefoot pain treatment
Treatment options include physical therapy, bracing of the foot and ankle, injections and advanced podiatric procedures.
Understanding Nerve Entrapments
Even with excellent care, nerve entrapments may still develop following foot or ankle trauma or surgery. A nerve entrapment may feel like aching pain, numbness or burning. If you have been living with persistent pain following and injury or post foot and ankle surgery, you may benefit from a consultation with Dr. Moore.
Bunion (Hallux Valgus)
A bunion is a bony prominence that forms at the base of the big toe. It develops as the great toe shifts towards the 2nd toe due to an underlying muscle imbalance. Bunions are often hereditary, and while they may or may not progress over time, they can cause significant discomfort. Patients commonly complain of pain from shoe pressure on the bony bump or a deep, aching pain from developing arthritis in the joint.
Hammer Toes
A hammer toe is a deformity of the lesser toes where the middle joint bends, causing the end of the toe turn downwards. This can effect any of the lesser toes. Initially, the deformity is flexible, but it can become rigid over time. Symptomatic patients often describe pain from shoe pressure, as well as calluses or blisters on the toes where they rub against the shoe.
Flat Foot
Flat foot is a condition where the arch of the foot collapses, resulting in a flattening of the sole. The severity of flat feet and the way they feel can vary from person to person, Some people don’t feel any pain, while others may have noticeable aching in the arch of the foot. Treatment may be as simple as shoe modifications , or in some cases, complex surgical reconstruction.
Arthritic Foot Pain
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, affecting millions of people. It occurs when the protective cartilage that cushions the ends of the bones wears down over time. The most common symptoms of osteoarthritis include pain in a joint, stiffness or aching discomfort. Treatment may be as simple as shoe modifications, or in some cases, surgery.
Bone Spurs
Bone spurs are a common side effect of aging, osteoarthritis, and tissue injury. They are extra growths of bone tissue that look like smooth lumps on your bone. If a bone spur places pressure on a nerve, it can cause symptoms like pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness. Treatment may per as simple as shoe modifications, or, in some cases, surgery.
Achilles Tendonitis
Achilles Tendonitis is an inflammation of the Achilles Tendon, which connects the calf muscle to the heel bone. It commonly occurs due to overuse and can cause pain, stiffness and swelling in the heel or back of the leg. Treatment may include custom orthotics or heel lifts to relieve pressure on the tendon or physical therapy to strengthen the calf muscles and improve flexibility. In some cases, non-surgical methods like corticosteroid injections may be recommended.
Hammertoes
A hammertoe is a condition that causes your toes to bend or curl downward instead of pointing forward. This condition can affect any toe, but most often impacts the second or third toe. Common causes include ill-fitting shoes or diabetes. Symptoms include pain on top of the affected toes or corns and calluses forming on top of the affected toes. Treatment includes changing footwear or shoe inserts. If these treatments don’t help, surgery can correct the condition by relieving the pressure causing the pain.
Dr. Moore was incredibly patient with me and took the time to evaluate all possible causes of my condition. The results that I have seen since my diagnosis have been amazing. I am pain-free now and am back to being a kid. I highly recommend Dr. Moore!
Ruby
Forefoot pain can result from a variety of structural and nerve-related conditions.
Structural Conditions
- Stress Fracture
- Metatarsalgia
- Pre-dislocation Syndrome
- Plantar Plate Tear
Nerve -Related Conditions
- Morton’s Neuroma
- Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
On the Journey With You
Dr. Shari Moore, founder of Janus Lower Extremity Pain Center, has spent over 30 years helping people overcome foot and ankle problems. She understands how frustrating foot pain can be and uses advanced nerve treatments, along with her extensive podiatric experience, to provide real solutions. Her goal is simple—lasting relief and renewed hope for every patient.
Lower Extremity Advanced Procedures for Nerve Pain
30 Years of Field Experience
Compassionate Approach
Frequently Asked Questions About Chronic Forefoot Pain
Chronic forefoot pain refers to ongoing discomfort in the ball of the foot or toes that lasts for weeks or even months. The pain can feel sharp, burning, or aching, and some patients describe it as feeling like they are walking on a pebble. This condition often interferes with walking and daily activities if not treated.
The most common causes of chronic forefoot pain include metatarsalgia, an inflammation in the ball of the foot, and nerve entrapments, which can lead to sharp or burning pain. Structural problems such as bunions and hammertoes can add extra pressure and discomfort. Poor footwear choices—like high heels or narrow shoes—combined with repetitive stress from activities such as running often worsen the condition and contribute to persistent pain.
Patients often experience aching pain or burning in the ball of the foot, tingling or numbness in the toes, or swelling and redness. Some describe the sensation as if they are walking on a pebble or have a lump under the toes. Symptoms may worsen with prolonged standing, walking, or wearing tight shoes.
No, not always. Morton’s neuroma is a common cause of pain in the ball of the foot, but other conditions such as metatarsalgia, arthritis, and stress fractures can produce similar symptoms. A proper diagnosis ensures that the right treatment plan is selected.
Forefoot pain should be considered serious if it lasts more than two weeks, continues to worsen, or interferes with your ability to walk or perform daily activities. Pain that occurs at rest, wakes you at night, or is accompanied by swelling, redness, bruising, numbness, or tingling may indicate a more significant problem. If you notice these symptoms, it’s important to seek a professional evaluation to ensure proper treatment.
At Janus, we will begin with a detailed physical examination and review of your symptoms. Imaging tests such as X-rays help rule out fractures or arthritis, while ultrasound or MRI may be used to detect soft tissue or nerve problems. In some cases, diagnostic injections are used to confirm nerve involvement.
How it Works
1. Reach Out
Fill out our contact form. Our team will assist you in gathering the pertinent medical records prior to your visit.
2. Meet
At your visit, we will take a detailed medical history and perform a comprehensive medical exam.
3. Find Relief
We will work with you to determine if our treatment options may be of benefit to you for your pain symptoms.
A New Beginning Awaits
Contact us to get started!
