Pain in the top of your foot will often get better in a few weeks. See your GP if it does not improve. If you see your GP, they'll usually suggest trying these things:Easing pain in the top of your foot
Do
rest and raise your foot when you can
put an ice pack (or bag of frozen peas) in a towel on the painful area for up to 20 minutes every 2 to 3 hours
wear wide comfortable shoes with a low heel and soft sole
use soft insoles or pads you put in your shoes
try to lose weight if you're overweight
try regular gentle stretching exercises
take paracetamol
Don't
do not take ibuprofen for the first 48 hours after an injury
do not wear high heels or tight pointy shoes
Ask your pharmacist about:
- the best painkiller to take
- insoles and pads for your shoes
- treatments for common skin and nail problems
- if you need to see a GP
When to contact your GP
Contact your GP if:
- the pain is severe or stopping you from doing normal activities
- the pain is getting worse or keeps coming back
- the pain has not improved after treating it at home for 2 weeks
- you have any tingling or loss of sensation in your foot
- you have diabetes – foot problems can be more serious if you have diabetes
Check the level of your pain
Severe pain:
- always there and so bad it's hard to think or talk
- you cannot sleep
- it's very hard to move, get out of bed, go to the bathroom, wash or dress
Moderate pain:
- always there
- makes it hard to concentrate or sleep
- you can manage to get up, wash or dress
Mild pain:
- comes and goes
- is annoying but does not stop you from doing things like going to work
When to go to the emergency department (ED)
Go to your nearest ED if you:
- are in severe pain
- feel faint, dizzy or sick from the pain
- have a foot that has changed shape or is at an odd angle
- heard a snap, grinding or popping noise at the time of injury
- are not able to walk
These might be signs of a broken bone after an injury.
Causes of pain in the top of the foot
Common causes of pain in the top of your foot are exercising too much or wearing shoes that are too tight.
Your symptoms may help you find the cause of your foot pain.
Some of the possible causes of pain in the top of the foot:
Symptoms Pain, swelling, bruising, started after intense or repetitive exercise | Possible cause sprained metatarsal or stress fracture |
Symptoms Pain, swelling and stiffness that lasts a long time, a grating or crackling sensation when you move the foot, a lump along a tendon | Possible cause tendonitis or osteoarthritis |
Symptoms Red, hot, swollen skin, sudden or severe pain when anything touches your foot, the pain usually starts near the bottom of the big toe | Possible cause gout |
Do not worry if you're not sure what the problem is.
Follow the advice on this page and see your GP if the pain does not get better in 2 weeks.
Content supplied by the NHS and adapted for Ireland by the HSE
It’s common to experience pain at the top of the top. This foot ache can be a cause of discomfort while walking or simply just standing. The pain on the upper side of the foot can be slight or sometimes severe, which depends on the cause and the degree of injury.
What causes pain on top of the foot?
There can be several causes behind pain on the top of the foot. The most common reasons can be excessive use of foot when playing sports or simply
jumping or running.
Overusing your feet can cause several issues that can lead to pain. These include:
Extensor tendonitis
You can be a victim of this condition if you wear too tight shoes or overuse your feet. The tendons on the top of the foot that is responsible for pulling the foot upwards become swollen due to which you may feel pain and discomfort.
Sinus tarsi syndrome
This condition is related to the channel located between the ankles’ bone and the heel. You can experience pain on top of the foot and the outer side of the ankle.
Stress fractures of bones in the feet
If you have a fracture in the bones at the top of the feet, you may have pain and inflammation.
Other causes of pain on the top of the foot can include:
Gout
This condition can give you rapid, severe pain in the joint at the end part of the big toe.
Bone spurs
These are formations that grow in the joints close to your toes. These can be really painful.
Peripheral Neuropathy
This condition can result in pain on top of the feet and a lack of sensation that can travel from the feet up to the legs.
Common Peroneal Nerve Dysfunction
This medical condition can result in stinging and pain on top of the foot. You may also experience fatigue in the lower leg or foot.
How is the pain on top of the foot treated?
Our feet are what bear the entire weight of our body. So even a small injury
can become problematic if you leave it untreated. If you have a wound on the foot, get treatment as soon as possible.
The treatment for the pain on the top of your foot depends on the cause.
- You may need physical therapy if there’s damage to the foot’s nerves or tendons.
- A walking boot may be recommended for broken bones or fractures
- Anti-inflammatory drugs can be helpful in minimizing swelling
Another option is going with home treatments for your
foot pain.
Take plenty of rest, and don’t put weight on the injured foot. Apply ice cubes or pack on the painful tooth for 15-20 minutes. During walking, wear shoes that fit well and are not very tight.
If 5 days have passed, but the home treatments aren’t making any difference, schedule an appointment with a physician. Call Rheumatology Care of North Houston at 832.532.9779.
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