Top of foot pain can have a devastating effect on people’s lives. It is a very common condition and can be caused by injury to the foot; overuse or strain of structures in the foot, or even nerve damage, in some cases neuropathic pain. Top of foot pain can make simple activities like walking, running, gardening, dancing etc. very difficult and can interfere with most aspects of your life. The information contained in this web page will hopefully give you a greater understanding of why you have pain on top of your foot and the information on how to treat it will help you deal with your pain. Most importantly information contained on this page will give you some ideas about how to prevent your pain from returning.
As already mentioned, top of the foot pain is caused by a variety of different factors. The most common reason for pain on the top of the foot is an injury, such as a sprain or even a fracture. The latter of these can be caused by a fall or an accident, or even by injury whilst participating in sporting activities. Overuse can also cause pain on the top of the foot, for example runners or for people who are very active and are on their feet for long periods of time throughout the day. Conditions affecting the nerves, known as neuropathic conditions, can also cause pain on the top of the foot, this type of pain can be described as tingling or even burning and can make completing of simple tasks a challenge to complete. Research has shown that people with diabetes can develop this type of pain, also known as neuropathic pain (Baron et al., 2010; Hicks & Selvin, 2019).
In addition to causing pain due to injury or to neuropathic pain, the top of the foot can also be subject to pain caused by overuse or strain. Active individuals, including runners, or people who work at a job where they are on their feet for long periods of time can cause the top of the foot to become inflamed and lead to pain. Additionally, individuals can cause pain to the top of the foot by wearing poor fitting shoes or by wearing shoes that do not provide adequate support for the foot. This causes stress to the top of the foot which can lead to pain and affect an individual’s daily activities.
Top of the foot pain can manifest in many different ways depending on the cause of the pain. Some of the common symptoms include sharp pains in the top of the foot that can be acute or chronic in nature. Most people describe the pain as a dull ache in the top of the foot that can be sore to the touch and even sensitive to pressure. Swelling can also occur in the top of the foot that causes the area to be tender. In some cases a change in the skin color of the top of the foot can occur along with numbness and loss of function of the toes. It is essential to determine the cause of any top of the foot pain to ensure the correct treatment is provided to aid in relief of pain and prevent further damage to the foot.
For top of foot pain it is best to rest your foot and apply ice to reduce pain and swelling. For inflammatory pain over the counter pain relief can be taken to help reduce the pain and inflammation. However, severe pain or persistent pain may require a doctors diagnosis and treatment. Treatment can include physical therapy to stretch and strengthen the muscles of the foot and lower leg. In some cases custom made orthotics can be very beneficial in helping to relieve pain in the top of the foot. These orthotics can be fitted to support the foot in the correct position and help to reduce stress on the structures in the top of the foot.
Preventing pain on the top of the foot from recurring requires taking steps to ensure that the foot is given the best chance to function properly. By wearing the right type of shoes, that are well fitting and supportive, and increasing activity levels gradually, sufferers of top of foot pain can help to prevent the onset of further pain. By incorporating into your daily routine exercises that stretch the muscles and tendons of the foot and lower leg, you can help to prepare them for activity. Awareness of any underlying health issues, such as diabetes, and how they can cause pain in the feet, is also important in both the prevention and management of pain on the top of the foot.
Prevention and management of top of foot pain are equally important to treatment in order to avoid further injury and maintain maximum mobility and quality of life while suffering from top of foot pain. Top of foot pain can be caused from a variety of sources but most commonly from overuse of the foot or from plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis is a condition of the plantar fascia (the thick band of tissue that runs across the bottom of the foot) and can cause pain in the heel of the foot or in other areas of the foot including the top of the foot. Diabetic neuropathy or nerve damage caused by diabetes is another source of pain in the foot. Top of foot pain caused by diabetic neuropathy can be described as burning, tingling or stinging. (Neufeld & Cerrato, 2008; Callaghan et al., 2012)
Identifying the various symptoms of pain on the top of the foot is crucial in obtaining the correct treatment. While the symptoms can vary from person to person, acute pain can develop instantly, becoming very intense, causing the individual with foot pain difficulty in walking and even performing simple daily tasks. On the other hand, chronic pain can also develop and can be described as a dull, tolerable ache or a burning sensation felt in the top of the foot. In many cases, the tenderness of the top of the foot can also become painful to the touch and pressure upon the area. There are cases when individuals have developed top of plantar fasciitis, resulting in pain on the top of the foot as well as on the bottom (Becker & Childress, 2018).
Recognizing and addressing top of foot pain early is essential to treating the pain effectively. By failing to recognize and treat top of foot pain early, individuals are at risk of allowing the pain to worsen and become more difficult to treat. Furthermore, individuals who suffer from top of foot pain can experience an impact on their ability to participate in a variety of activities and can have difficulty with a variety of functions. For example, individuals with top of foot pain report difficulty with walking, standing for long periods of time, and even sitting in certain positions (Vinik et al., 2013). Top of foot pain can cause a great deal of frustration in addition to the physical discomfort of the pain. The pain can prevent individuals from participating in a variety of physical and occupational activities, thereby affecting quality of life.
So now that you know the different reasons why you can get pain on the top of your foot there are some different methods of treatment that you can try as well. In some cases it is recommended to try physical therapy for pain on the physical therapist can try to help you with exercises to stretch and strengthen the foot and also to help increase range of motion of the foot as well.
Managing the pain itself is an important part of treating top of foot pain. This is usually done using over-the-counter pain relievers. These can be either analgesics, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, and are available from pharmacies and supermarkets. In some cases your doctor may prescribe stronger pain relief medication. In addition to pain relief it is also common to use ice to help reduce swelling and numb the area of pain. This should be applied for 15 minutes every hour and can be very effective in helping to manage pain. In the meantime, the pain affected part of the foot should be rested from activities that place stress upon it, in order to allow for it to start to heal.
The use of orthotics can also provide significant benefits. Orthotics are specially designed shoe inserts that help adjust the way a person walks and distributes weight across the feet. They can provide extra support and cushioning, reducing pressure on the top of the foot. People with specific conditions, such as flat feet or high arches, can particularly benefit from custom orthotics made specifically for their foot shape.
Preventative measures are also important to note in efforts to stop the pain in the top of the foot from recurring. Ensuring that the footwear that a person wears on a regular basis is sufficient in supporting the foot is very important. This does not have to mean purchasing the most expensive shoes, but rather ensuring that they fit well and have ample cushioning in order to absorb the stress that is placed on the foot while walking or running. Most importantly, a person must avoid wearing shoes that have high heels or are not well-supported as these will place undue stress on the top of the foot, potentially leading to pain and discomfort.
Tailored exercise regimens can contribute significantly to prevention. Gentle stretching exercises can improve the flexibility of the foot and muscles around it. Strengthening activities for the feet, like picking up small objects with the toes or walking on uneven surfaces, help build muscle aimed at stabilizing the foot. These exercises can be particularly helpful for people who frequently engage in activities that put pressure on their feet, like running or jumping.
Preventative measures for avoiding pain on the top of the foot must also be taken to prevent future injury. The way in which a person moves and how they go about their daily activities all play a large role in the amount of stress that is placed on the feet. A person must understand how their body moves and be able to recognize when they are placing excessive stress on their feet. To prevent excessive stress on the feet, a person must maintain proper posture and always make sure that their feet are in the correct position. For individuals that are required to stand for long periods of time at work, it is very important to take regular breaks and sit down to rest their feet. Even sitting down can help to relieve fatigue in the feet.
The measures to manage and maintain a healthy foot that has suffered from pain on the top of the foot are diverse. All types of treatment to manage pain and measures to prevent future damage to the foot must be considered. And as stated previously, it is very important to take care of your feet. If you suffer from foot pain it is also very important to seek medical attention as soon as possible. A healthy foot is important to your overall well being and to your ability to participate in daily activities.
Citations:
Baron, R., Binder, A. and Wasner, G., 2010. Neuropathic pain: diagnosis, pathophysiological mechanisms, and treatment. The Lancet Neurology, 9(8), pp.807-819. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/laneur/article/PIIS1474442210701435/abstract
Becker, B.A. and Childress, M.A., 2018. Common foot problems: over-the-counter treatments and home care. American family physician, 98(5), pp.298-303. https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2018/0901/p298.html
Hicks, C.W. and Selvin, E., 2019. Epidemiology of peripheral neuropathy and lower extremity disease in diabetes. Current diabetes reports, 19(10), p.86. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11892-019-1212-8
Neufeld, S.K. and Cerrato, R., 2008. Plantar fasciitis: evaluation and treatment. Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 16(6), pp.338-346. https://www.ovid.com/jnls/jaaos/abstract/00124635-200806000-00006~plantar-fasciitis-evaluation-and-treatment
Callaghan, B.C., Cheng, H.T., Stables, C.L., Smith, A.L. and Feldman, E.L., 2012. Diabetic neuropathy: clinical manifestations and current treatments. The lancet NEUROLOGY, 11(6), pp.521-534. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS1474-4422(12)70065-0/abstract
Schreiber, A.K., Nones, C.F., Reis, R.C., Chichorro, J.G. and Cunha, J.M., 2015. Diabetic neuropathic pain: physiopathology and treatment. World journal of diabetes, 6(3), p.432. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4398900/
Alavi, A., Sibbald, R.G., Mayer, D., Goodman, L., Botros, M., Armstrong, D.G., Woo, K., Boeni, T., Ayello, E.A. and Kirsner, R.S., 2014. Diabetic foot ulcers: Part I. Pathophysiology and prevention. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 70(1), pp.1-e1. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0190962213008207
Vinik, A.I., Nevoret, M.L., Casellini, C. and Parson, H., 2013. Diabetic neuropathy. Endocrinology and metabolism clinics, 42(4), pp.747-787. https://www.endo.theclinics.com/article/S0889-8529(13)00052-2/abstract
Deer, T.R., Mekhail, N., Provenzano, D., Pope, J., Krames, E., Leong, M., Levy, R.M., Abejon, D., Buchser, E., Burton, A. and Buvanendran, A., 2014. The Appropriate Use of Neurostimulation of the Spinal Cord and Peripheral Nervous System for the Treatment of Chronic Pain and Ischemic Diseases: The N euromodulation A ppropriateness C onsensus C ommittee. Neuromodulation: Technology at the Neural Interface, 17(6), pp.515-550. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/ner.12208
University lecturer, runner, cynic, researcher, skeptic, forum admin, woo basher, clinician, rabble-rouser, blogger, dad.