When you think of foot pain, your mind probably goes straight to heel pain or a sore arch. But what if the ache is on the top of your foot? This type of pain can be confusing, but make no mistake, the top of the foot is a common area that we at Podiatry Center of New Jersey commonly treat. Let’s look at some of the reasons you might be feeling pain in this region.
Tendonitis
One of the most frequent culprits is extensor tendonitis, and it happens when the tendons on the top of your foot become inflamed. It’s a classic overuse injury that’s brought on by a sudden increase in activity like running or hiking, or from wearing shoes that are too tight or laced poorly. This constant pressure usually causes irritation and pain, especially when you try to lift your toes.
Stress Fractures
And of course, the metatarsals! If you’re active, a tiny hairline crack in one of these bones could develop gradually from repetitive impact, but not typically from a single accident.
Some common symptoms include a dull ache that worsens with activity and gets better with rest, tenderness to the touch, and slight swelling.
Be mindful: ignoring this pain and continuing activity can cause the small crack to turn into a full break.
Nerve Entrapment
The nerves that provide sensation to the top of your foot can also get pinched. This can happen if a shoe is too tight, a bone spur presses on a nerve, or a nearby ganglion cyst grows large enough to compress it. This nerve entrapment can feel like anything from an ache, a sharp pain, or a feeling of numbness and tingling along the top of your foot.
Ganglion Cysts
Speaking of cysts, a ganglion cyst is a small, non-cancerous, fluid-filled sac that can form as a noticeable lump on the top of the foot. While they are often painless, if a cyst grows in a location where it presses against a nerve or a joint, it can cause pain, tingling, and discomfort.
Arthritis
Arthritis can also cause pain on the top of the foot. Whether it’s osteoarthritis or an inflammatory condition like rheumatoid arthritis, inflammation can cause pain, stiffness, and swelling in the small joints of the foot, which are located right under the skin on top of the foot.
Bunions
While the primary pain from a bunion is on the side of the foot, the deformity can cause the big toe joint to protrude in a way that makes shoes rub on the top of the foot.
If you have more questions about foot care or want to address specific concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out to the expert team at Podiatry Center of New Jersey! Give us a call at (973) 925-4111 or make an appointment online.
