Morton's neuroma is a painful condition characterised by thickening of the tissue around the nerves leading to the toes, often affecting the area between the third and fourth toes. Causes include wearing high heels or tight shoes, which put pressure on your toes.

Symptoms include a burning sensation, tingling, or numbness between your toes and the ball of your foot. Treatment options range from changing your footwear and using custom orthotics that reduce pressure on these nerves to injections or surgery in severe cases.

Plantar fasciitis involves an injury of the plantar fascia, a thick band of tissue that stretches across the bottom of your foot, connecting your heel to your toes. This condition is often triggered by excessive strain or use, such as prolonged standing, obesity, or wearing shoes that lack proper support.

The primary symptom is a sharp, stabbing pain in the bottom of your foot near the heel, particularly noticeable with the first steps in the morning. Treatments focus on reducing inflammation and pain, including rest, applying ice, using pain relievers, stretching exercises, and incorporating supportive footwear or orthotics to relieve pressure on the plantar fascia. Surgery can be performed to detension the plantar fascia often by “keyhole” technique.

Bunions are protuberances that form near the joint at the base of the big toe. They are most commonly seen when the first metatarsal (the long bone that joins your great toe to the foot) drifts away from midline increasing the angle of the angle the big toe joint. They are associated with wearing poorly fitted shoes and family history.

Symptoms include swelling, redness, and pain at the site of the bump or protrusion. Treatment options include wearing comfortable shoes with ample space for your toes, padded shoe inserts, medications to relieve pain and swelling, and, in severe cases, bunion surgery to realign the toe.

Arthritis occurs when the cartilage, a protective cushion at the end of the bones, deteriorates over time. This degeneration can stem from regular wear and tear, direct injuries to the joint, or autoimmune conditions that attack the joint tissues.

People suffering from arthritis in these areas typically experience persistent joint pain, noticeable stiffness, especially after periods of inactivity or in the morning, and swelling around the joint. Treatment strategies to manage these symptoms and preserve joint function may include engaging in tailored physical therapy exercises, taking anti-inflammatory medications to reduce pain and swelling, and using supportive devices.

In advanced cases surgical interventions may be considered, offering a more permanent solution to restore function and alleviate discomfort.