The forefoot is defined as the structures distal to the midtarsal joints. The forefoot is the site of pain in at least three quarters of all patients complaining of pain in the foot. Therefore some understanding of its nature and its properties is important for its management. It is important to know whether standing or walking provokes the symptoms and whether shoe and stockings pressure is a factor. Generally the majority of painful forefoot problems can and should e treated by simple conservative measures. Many of these techniques are dependent on redistribution of stress in its transfer from bone through skin to footwear. The principal indications for surgery are for the relief of pain usually after conservative measures have failed.