Pain in the top of your foot may be caused by exercising—especially workouts that involve running, jumping, or kicking—ill-fitting shoes, or conditions like gout.
You might be able to identify the cause of your pain by looking at your symptoms:
| Symptoms | Possible causes |
|---|---|
|
Sprain or strain |
|
Tendonitis or osteoarthritis |
|
Gout |
|
Extensor tendonitis |
|
Peroneal nerve dysfunction |
|
Stress fracture |
|
Midfoot osteoarthritis |
|
High arch foot |
When should you see a doctor for foot pain?
You should seek immediate medical attention if you pain in the top of your foot is accompanied by the following symptoms:
- Severe pain or swelling
- Open wounds or pus-filled wounds
- Signs of infection such as redness and warmth in the area or a fever above 100 F (37.8 C)
- Inability to walk or put weight on your foot
- History of diabetes and a nonhealing wound that is red, swollen, or warm to touch
Call your doctor if you notice the following symptoms:
- Persistent swelling that doesn’t resolve after home treatment for 2-5 days
- Persistent pain that doesn't improve after several weeks of treatment
- Burning, numbness, or tingling in the soles of your feet
How can you ease the pain on the top of your foot?
To ease the pain in the top of your foot, your physician may suggest the following remedies:
- Rest your foot or elevate it when possible
- Apply an ice pack wrapped in a towel or a bag of frozen peas to the affected area for 20 minutes every 2-3 hours
- Wear shoes with plenty of room for your feet and a low heel
- Use soft insoles or pads in your shoes
- Lose weight if you are overweight
- Try gentle stretching exercises for your foot and ankle
- Take acetaminophen for pain relief
How to prevent pain in the top of your foot
Pain on the top of your foot can be prevented with the following measures:
- Engage in regular exercise
- Always warmup and cooldown before and after exercise
- Slowly and gradually increase workout intensity
- Strengthen your muscles before engaging in sports or training
- Use proper form and posture for when performing workouts
- Pay attention to your body and stop if you feel pain
- Avoid any sports or other activities that trigger pain
- Wear shoes that fit properly and avoid high heels or tight footwear
- Do not walk or stand for prolonged periods of time
SLIDESHOW
Common Causes of Foot Pain See SlideshowMedically Reviewed on 11/2/2022
References
Image Source: iStock image
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/foot-pain/pain-in-the-top-of-the-foot/#:~:text=Common%20causes%20of%20pain%20in,of%20what's%20causing%20your%20pain.
https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/what-is-extensor-tendonitis-in-the-foot
https://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/foot-pain/basics/causes/sym-20050792
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/foot-pain/pain-in-the-top-of-the-foot/#:~:text=Common%20causes%20of%20pain%20in,of%20what's%20causing%20your%20pain.
https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/what-is-extensor-tendonitis-in-the-foot
https://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/foot-pain/basics/causes/sym-20050792
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