Our feet are incredibly important to us, and if something is wrong with them, we want to know how to take care of them and how to fix them.
That being said, the top of the foot is one of the most awkward and painful places to have pain. There are a few reasons for pain in this part of the foot.
The type of pain and its area help the specialist determine its cause and the best path toward treatment for the patient.
The sudden-onset pain on the top of the foot, directly behind the toes, without any damage or injury, maybe a stress break of one of the major foot bones, the metatarsal bone. There is regular swelling in the range, and it is tender to the touch.
An alternate incident of pain happens close to the center of the top of the foot, toward the outside of the foot.
The tendons that go to the toes can become irritated and strained. This is called extensor tendonitis.
One reason for this condition is overexertion and tightness of the calves. When the calf muscle is tight, it causes unnecessary irritation in the tendons and muscles on the top of the foot, which draw the foot up and toward the calf muscles.
Wearing shoes with at least a one-inch heel can help relieve some of the strain on this area. Gentle, regular stretching of the calf muscle is likewise extremely accommodating.
When these measures don’t work, an orthotic solution for your shoes should be tried.
The orthotic fixes the foot’s positioning, thus relieving stress on the tendons on the top of the foot.
Another common pain on the top of the foot with swelling or a “thickness” to the foot may be brought about by degenerative joint inflammation.
This is seen in individuals with flatfeet or a gradually deteriorating arch. This, of course, either happens due to aging, wearing the wrong shoes, or gaining too much weight.
Breaking your foot at some point could also cause this to happen more quickly. The extra pressure on the foot causes the arch to collapse or degenerate.
Like the extensor tendonitis we discussed above, orthotics can help make feet more comfortable.
Another location of degenerative joint pain that causes pain on the top of the foot is in the range of the biggest joints.
If this joint is painful or swollen, it can push through and cause pain in the top of the foot. Weight from the shoe can also result in pain.
Treatment for these conditions comprises taking prescriptions and using foot orthotics. Surgery could be a choice for the degenerative joint inflammation around this toe joint; however, it doesn’t seem to have much success, so surgery is a last-ditch effort to eliminate the pain.
Focused pain is found in the top area of the foot, most commonly occurring in kids and teenagers, maybe because of a condition called Tarsal Coalition.
This tends to happen on the outside part of the top of the foot. A tarsal coalition is the irregular fusion of two or more bones in the mid-foot. It might be genetic.
It worsens as you age, and exercise makes it advance even more quickly.
If not treated in its initial stages, it can result in joint inflammation in the foot, making it hard for the person to move around properly.
Early analysis is made using X-rays and an MRI or CT examination. Treatment is usually done with orthotics and sometimes surgery as well.
Early discovery and treatment are essential to prevent other problems if the disorder goes untreated.
Pain can likewise happen on the top and inside of the foot. This is especially common in individuals who do a lot of hard exercise on their feet and legs.
The pain could be caused by a stress crack in the navicular bone located in this area of the foot.
Determining whether or not this bone is broken can be troublesome. X-rays are, for the most part, negative, and if a stress crack is visible, the diagnosis may prompt an MRI or exploratory surgery.
Treatment comprises rest with little to no movement, prescription painkillers, splints and braces on the lower part of the leg, orthotics, or, on occasion, surgery may have to be performed.
Another area of pain on the top of the foot is underneath the ankle on the outside part. Around the foot is a little area that appears to be “plump.”
This plump region contains a little muscle called the Extensor Digatorum Brevis. Below that is a little area between two bones called the sinus tarsi.
Around three little ligaments can become irritated easily, thus resulting in swelling and other problems.
A typical cause of this pain is a compression of the foot, which causes the muscles and bones to become compressed and strained, which can cause pain.
Treatment comprises regular calf stretches to reduce the stress on the foot and ankle, cortisone, painkillers, orthotics, and, on occasion, surgery may have to be performed.
As you can see, there are a handful of reasons you may have sharp pain in the top of your foot.
If it becomes a constant problem, you should see your doctor as soon as possible to get the treatment you need to walk around without issues.