Why do the tops of my feet hurt?

Foot pain can make it hard to get around and do the things we love. Targeting the cause of that foot pain can sometimes be even harder. The bottoms of our feet hit the ground and endure significant amounts of pressure and friction throughout the day. But what about the tops of our feet? There are a few reasons why pain can occur on the tops of your feet. This blog will talk about different conditions that can lead to pain on the top. 

Common causes of pain

Swelling

Swelling can cause stiffness and pain in our feet when sitting and standing. It is due to an accumulation of fluid in the tissues under the skin. Injury, arthritis, an infection of the skin known as cellulitis, sitting for long periods, and congestive heart failure are all causes of swelling in the feet. 

Gout

Gout is a lesser-known form of arthritis. Caused by a buildup of uric acid in the form of sharp crystals, most commonly forming in the big toe joint, pain is sudden and severe. This causes the area around the big toe joint to appear red, swollen and hot due to inflammation. Gout is treated with medication.

Peripheral neuropathy

Nerves are responsible for sending signals from the brain to various parts of the body. When the nerves become damaged or dysfunctional, they are unable to send proper impulses or signals to the legs and feet. This can result in pins and needles, numbness, and pain. Often associated with but not exclusive to diabetes, this condition can significantly affect the quality of life. 

Stress fracture

Tiny cracks in a bone that develop after repetitive force are often caused by overuse. They are so small, they may not even be visible on an x-ray. Stress fractures most commonly develop in higher weight-bearing areas of the foot. The pain is usually described as an ache or discomfort on the top of the foot with activity and relief when at rest. 

Tendinitis

Inflammation of the tendons on the top of the feet is known as the extensor tendons. This can be caused by overuse from activity. The pain is typically less with activity and worse with rest.  

What do I do if the tops of my feet hurt?

If you have new or sudden pain in your foot or feet, report it to your BioPed lower limb clinician immediately. To determine the cause of your foot pain, they will perform a comprehensive assessment of your legs and feet. It is important during your assessment to mention whether the pain is in one or both feet. Typically pain in one foot can be attributed to an infection, tendinitis, stress fracture, gout or arthritis. Pain in both feet could be caused by congestive heart failure, arthritis or peripheral neuropathy. 

Knowing this detail will help your BioPed clinician decipher the gravity of the issue and what needs to happen next. Your clinician may advise seeing your family doctor/nurse practitioner or diagnostic testing such as an x-ray or blood test. Depending on the cause of pain, compression therapy, ice therapy, rest, bracing, custom foot orthotics, new footwear, or even medication (prescription or over-the-counter) to achieve relief and help you get back to doing more!