Dealing with foot pain can be a real challenge. Our feet take us where we want to go and dealing with pain in them isn’t fun. Pinpointing the root cause of foot pain, especially when it occurs on the tops of our feet, can be a difficult task. While much attention is often given to the soles of our feet, we often do not talk about the tops of our feet. Today we will chat about different factors leading to pain on the top of the feet and how you can target eliminating the pain.
Common Causes
Swelling
As you are on your feet longer throughout the day, swelling can set in. It can occur in the lower limbs due to the body getting less efficient at pumping the blood out of the distal extremities and up to the heart over time. This swelling can also be caused by many other factors like injury, heart disease and so on. Persistent swelling can sometimes result in stiffness and pain, affecting both sitting and standing. It can persist even after you get off your feet at the end of the day.
Peripheral Neuropathy
The intricate network of nerves responsible for transmitting signals to and from your feet to brain can sometimes get compromised, leading to conditions like peripheral neuropathy. This type of nerve damage disrupts the normal flow of impulses to and from the legs and feet, resulting in symptoms such as tingling, numbness, and pain. While diabetes is a common condition, peripheral neuropathy is an unfortunate side effect of diabetes.
Gout
Often overshadowed by more common types of arthritis, gout is caused by the buildup of uric acid crystals in the body, typically occurring in the big toe joint. The pain associated with gout is sudden and intense, leading often to redness, swelling, and heat in the affected area. Treatment for gout involves medication to alleviate symptoms and manage the underlying causes.
Stress Fracture
Small cracks in bones caused by repetitive force or overuse can result in stress fractures. These fractures are often so small that they may not be visible on an x-ray. And over time these stress fracture can get much worse! Often they occur in weight-bearing areas of the foot, and show as a persistent ache or discomfort on the top of the foot during activity, with relief experienced during rest.
Tendinitis
Inflammation of the extensor tendons on the top of the feet or any tendon in the body, caused by overuse, is known as tendinitis. This condition typically produces pain that is less pronounced during activity but worsens with rest. Identifying and addressing the activities contributing to overuse is crucial in managing tendinitis and eliminating the pain.
Understanding the diverse causes of top of foot pain is essential to effectively managing the pain and finding relief. Whether it’s addressing swelling, managing conditions like gout, or adopting preventive measures for stress fractures and tendinitis, proactive care can significantly improve the quality of life for those dealing with discomfort in this area.
Come See Us!
If you’re suffering from foot pain or anything else lower limb related, please book an appointment today! At BioPed Footcare, whether its compression socks, orthotics or footwear we are here for you. With our on-site lab there is nothing we can’t do! Meet with one of BioPed’s lower limb clinicians to see how you can keep your feet and lower body healthy!
