Introduction
Exercise is a common source of pain in the top of the foot, especially if it includes running, kicking, or jumping. Additionally, some underlying conditions including wearing shoes that are excessively tight may be the cause.
Why Does It Pain on Top of My Foot?
1. Extensor Tendonitis:
The tendons of the extensors muscle group travel over the top of the foot and insert into various parts of the foot. They are located on the front of the leg and ankle. It aids in keeping balance when walking. Inflammation of the tendons close to the center top of the foot is known as extender tendonitis. Extensor tendonitis is hypothesized to result from overuse, which can result in minor tendon damage that can hurt. The tendons on the top of the foot that lift the foot up may be stressed due to a tight calf muscle. Old age, being overweight, wearing uncomfortable shoes, standing or walking for prolonged durations, and other medical disorders including diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis are some causes of extensor tendonitis.
The top of the foot may swell and develop excruciating pain over time as a symptom. Treatment options include custom orthotics, oral anti-inflammatory medications, and calf muscle stretching.
2. Gout:
Gout may be indicated by pain around the big toe on the top of the foot. On the top of the foot, gout is quite uncommon. Increased uric acid levels in the blood are the primary cause of inflammatory arthritis known as gout. The big toe experiences excruciating agony along with swollen joints as the acid crystallizes and deposits build in the tendons and joints. Colchicine, corticosteroids, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) including Ibuprofen and Naproxen sodium are frequently recommended by a healthcare provider.
3. Flat Feet:
Pinching in the tiny ligaments of the foot due to flat feet might result in discomfort on top of the foot. Make sure to wear shoes with additional padding and soft platforms if having flat feet. The goal is to secure support for the arches. Avoid wearing high heels, and ask the podiatrist about getting a set of personalized orthotics.
4. Nerve Pain:
The superficial peroneal nerve, deep peroneal nerve, common peroneal nerve, posterior tibial nerve, and plantar nerves are the primary nerves in the foot. Sural nerve compression on the top of the foot, Morton's neuroma, tarsal tunnel compression in the ankle, and sural nerve impingement are just a few examples of where impingements can happen. The superficial peroneal nerve impingement is almost always the cause. Sharp, shooting, tingling, and nighttime pain are the most typical signs of a pinched nerve. Cortisone injections, topical anti-inflammatories like Diclofenac gel, medications, and shoe inserts called orthotics can all be beneficial.
5. Stress Fractures:
A stress fracture is a little crack or a significant bruise in one of the foot bones.
The five tubular metatarsal bones, which run along the center of the foot, are prone to stress fractures. Stress fractures are most common in the second and third metatarsals. They carry the most force when walking or running since they are the longest and thinnest of the five bones. Stress fractures can also have an effect on other parts of the foot. These include the heel, the talus (a small bone at the ankle joint), the navicular, and the fibula, which are the outer bones of the lower leg and ankle. Stress fractures are rather common in runners and other athletes who subject their feet to extended, high strain during activity. People who have stress fractures commonly suffer swelling and tenderness to the touch. Most of the time, stress fractures may be healed with a few weeks of rest (without putting any weight on the foot) and the right footwear.
6. Arthritis:
The symptoms of midfoot arthritis include discomfort and swelling in the midfoot, which are made worse by standing and walking. On the top of the foot, there is frequently an accompanying bony protrusion. Patients with midfoot arthritis will feel pain underneath their feet, frequently after standing or walking for a long time. Additionally, the use of shoes may make it worse, particularly if a stiff leather shoe presses down on the top of the foot. Some patients also have what is known as "start-up" pain, which is typically felt in the morning, after waking up, or after a lengthy period of sitting. Typically, the signs appear gradually over time. The use of a stiff-soled comfort shoe, activity moderation, and weight loss as non-operative treatments can be quite successful. Sometimes surgery is necessary because arthritis causes changes in bone structure that can only be fixed by surgery.
7. Diabetes:
Acute foot discomfort brought on by diabetes peripheral neuropathy is possible. Diabetic neuropathy, also known as nerve damage from diabetes, can result in tingling, discomfort, and the eventual loss of feeling in the feet. Diabetes may also result in less blood supply to the feet. A sore or infection that cannot heal due to insufficient blood supply to the legs and feet may develop into gangrene.
It is crucial for persons with diabetes to regularly examine their feet for any indications of discomfort or infection. Always make sure the shoes fit properly and aren't too tight. Additionally beneficial is soaking the feet in warm water—not hot.
8. Tarsal Coalition:
A tarsal coalition is an unusual joining of two or more foot bones. A severe, stiff flatfoot can be caused by the attachment of the tarsal bones, which are positioned in the heel and near the rear of the foot. Symptoms hardly ever do arise. When symptoms do manifest, they may include inflexible flat feet and painful, stiff feet that cause limping. Rest, orthotics, casts, or injections can all be beneficial. Tarsal fusion, if left untreated, can lead to severe arthritis, which may restrict the child's movement.
9. Tight Shoes:
The main cause of discomfort on the top of the foot is wearing shoes that are too tight or ill-fitting. Always check that the shoes have adequate room for the toes to move around. Avoid wearing heels that are too high since they might force the feet forward and compress the toes.
10. Midfoot Injury:
The midfoot, or Lisfranc region, is made up of a collection of tiny bones. Between the heel and the ball of the foot, these bones make up the arch. Midfoot fractures or ligament damage might arise from crushing or twisting traumas. Lisfranc injuries are frequently used to describe these fractures and ligament rips. Walking can be excruciatingly painful, and discomfort, swelling, and bruising are frequently present. Soccer and football players frequently experience it. Direct trauma, such as a fall or car collision, can also result in lisfranc injuries. Castings and painkillers are used as treatment.
11. Ganglion Cysts:
A bump under the skin that is a ganglion cyst can be seen. Although they are very easy to diagnose, the discomfort they produce will vary depending on where they are. The cyst will hurt worse if it is next to a nerve, muscle, or shoe. Ganglion cysts can range in size, becoming smaller and smaller, or even vanishing entirely before later reappearing. There are several alternatives for treating foot ganglion cysts, including steroid injections and shoe adjustments.
How Are the Conditions Causing Pain on the Top of the Foot Treated?
Depending on the main cause of the pain, many treatments could be used, such as orthotic inserts, rest, casting, splinting, over-the-counter drugs, steroids, physical exercise or therapy, and open or minimally invasive surgery. The majority of midfoot pain sources don't require surgery to be addressed. Treatments are often started conservatively, without surgery, progressing from least invasive to more invasive.
Conclusion
The top of the foot might hurt due to a number of conditions. Exercise is a common source of foot pain, especially if it includes running, kicking, or leaping. Additionally, certain conditions like gout and wearing too-tight shoes might contribute to it. For at least five days, one should aim to avoid being on their feet as much as possible. They may also apply ice to the painful region for no more than 20 minutes at a time. However, if the pain is severe or chronic, it needs to get medically checked to rule out the underlying cause.
