Pain On Top Of The Foot: What Are The Causes?
Our feet bear the burden of each step, so it doesn’t come as a surprise that among the 1000 U.S. adults that were surveyed, 77% reported having experienced foot pain.
Feet are made up of a complex set of muscles, joints, bones and tendons that enable them to work properly and withstand our entire weight during everyday movements. While pain on top of the foot may seem unusual, it’s possibly indicating an underlying injury or health condition.
Let’s look at some causes of pain on top of the foot:
Extensor Tendinitis
Extensor tendons, used for pulling the foot upward or flexing, are located on the top of the foot. These tendons can get inflamed due to wearing footwear without support or overuse. This inflammation is called extensor tendinitis and can cause pain at the top of your foot.
The pain is concentrated in the middle of the foot, close to the big toe, and it usually gets worse with activity. Rest, physical therapy and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can treat this painful condition.
Once the pain eases off, you can do some toe grip exercises and slowly get back into activity.
Metatarsal Stress Fracture
The metatarsal bones are located in the center of the foot, and going too hard, too fast can develop a metatarsal stress fracture. This is common in runners who abruptly jump into marathon mode after long periods of rest after sports injuries.
A telltale sign of this fracture is that the pain and swelling is concentrated on the top of the foot, over your bones. Stress fractures call for immediate treatment plans, which is why it’s crucial to visit a podiatric physician right away.
Neuroma
Also referred to as “pinched nerve”, neuroma of the forefoot are swollen and inflamed nerves that can feel like a sharp pain shooting up through the foot into the toes.
Its principal symptom is experiencing pain or a burning sensation between the toes while walking. Those affected, often find relief when they stop walking or rub the affected area. Neuroma is aggravated by shoes that are too tight or small around the forefoot.
Other factors that can cause neuroma are metabolic diseases, repeated stress, or biochemical deformities, such as flat foot or high-arched foot.
Diagnosis And Treatment
If you have persistent foot pain, you should schedule an appointment with a podiatric physician. They will diagnose your condition through a thorough clinical exam and devise a customized treatment plan with a focused rehabilitation strategy.
The expert podiatrists and foot surgeons at the Foot & Ankle Institute of Miami, Florida, treat all injuries and conditions pertaining to the foot and ankle, in addition to conditions that may arise from the back, hip or knee. Our experts have years of experience in providing regenerative sports medicine services and performing advanced ankle surgeries.
Contact us today for more information.