Foot Health What You Should Know About the Forefoot The forefoot contains the most bones of the three areas of the foot By Terence Vanderheiden, DPM Terence Vanderheiden, DPM, is a podiatrist in Massachusetts with a subspecialty in the area of podiatric sports medicine. Learn about our editorial process Terence Vanderheiden, DPM Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Elizabeth Molina Ortiz, MD, MPH on April 16, 2020 linkedin Elizabeth Molina Ortiz, MD, MPH, is a board-certified specialist in family medicine and is the former medical director of a community health center. Learn about our Medical Review Board Elizabeth Molina Ortiz, MD, MPH on April 16, 2020 Print You may be surprised to learn that your forefoot carries and balances half of the body's total weight, and is designed to handle significant force and wear-and-tear. SEBASTIAN KAULITZKI / Science Photo Library / Getty Images Structure of the Forefoot The forefoot is one of the three primary regions of the foot, in addition to the midfoot and the rearfoot (or hindfoot). It is composed of tendons, ligaments, soft tissue, and 19 bones in five toes, also known as the phalanges. Phalanges Four of the toes are made up of three phalanx bones: the proximal phalanxthe intermediate phalanxthe distal phalanx The hallux, also known simply as the big toe, has only two phalanx bones: the proximal and distal phalanges. Metatarsal Bones Five metatarsal bones connect to the proximal phalanges at the joints in the balls of the feet. They line up side by side in the middle of the foot. Each of the metatarsal bones is referred to by their position relative to the medial side of the foot—the side with the big toe: First metatarsal (behind the big toe)Second metatarsalThird metatarsalFourth metatarsalFifth metatarsal (behind the little toe) The forefoot also has a complex network of ligaments crossing and running along the length of the foot. Ligaments serve several purposes: Connect bones and skinSupport and insulate the foot by holding fat in place to act as cushionsHelp nerves, tendons, and blood vessels pass beneath the heads of the metatarsal bonesTie the arches Common Problems in the Forefoot Metatarsalgia Pain in the forefoot is generally called metatarsalgia. The pain can manifest as burning, aching or shooting pain in the toes, often in the ball of the foot, and can be aggravated by walking or running. Injuries and inflammation are often suffered to the forefoot during sports activities. These can often be traced back to abnormal weight distribution during these activities. Morton's neuroma is a condition that can cause metatarsalgia pain, and occasionally toe numbness. It is caused by nerve inflammation and irritation between the metatarsal heads. Causes of metatarsalgia may include: Hammer toesExcess weightTightness in the Achilles tendonHighly active sports and other activitiesTight extensorsWeak flexorsOverpronationPoorly fitting footwear Fractured Toe Bones Broken toes are common, usually caused by something heavy hitting them or stubbing a toe against an object. They are quite painful and can make walking difficult. Serious fractures left untreated can heal incorrectly and cause other issues. Hammer Toes Hammertoes are a common foot problem that can affect one or more toes, though it is uncommon in the big toe. Weak muscles in the toes allow tendons to shorten and thus pull the toe back toward the foot, causing the elevated joint and the "hammered" appearance of the toe. Osteoarthritis Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease of joints in which the cushion between joints, known as cartilage, deteriorates. Foot deformities, sprains, and injuries to the foot may also contribute to osteoarthritis. Osteophytes (Bone Spurs) Osteophytes, also known as bone spurs, are growths or projections of bone that can develop along joints. They can appear in those with osteoarthritis. They often cause pain and can limit joint movement. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit