Top of Foot Pain There are a lot of different causes of foot pain, however, if you are having sharp, throbbing pain that gets better as you massage the top of your foot you may have one of many different conditions that cause Top of Foot Pain. Often times, people with diabetes, tendonitis, Morton’s Neuroma, and/ or stress fractures are the common ones to get pain in the top part of their feet. But we will discuss many possible problems and solutions to solve this painful issue.
Nerve Damage
Neuropathy is a scary word. However, this condition is very common among many individuals. It is essentially a “bruised” nerve that causes a lot of top of foot pain.
Symptoms of this injury are :
Sharp, throbbing pain on top of foot while walking or doing daily activities
Burning sensation on top of foot
Tingling on top of foot
One spot on top of foot more sensitive than others
Try rubbing your hand gently over your foot, is there a specific point that feels “tingly” or do you feel a weird numbing sensation? This is a common problem for people with a bruised nerve. It is nothing to worry about, just give your nerve sometimes to heal!
Many different things can lead to the nerve damage Top of Foot Pain, but the most common are tight fitting shoes. Make sure your shoes are tight enough to stay on your feet but loose enough for your foot to be able to “breathe.” This condition can last anywhere from four to eight months or so, and you may find yourself waking up out of nowhere just noticing it feeling better.
We recommend getting a topical cream to ease the pain while you wait for this condition to heal. Try PhysAssist Foot Pain Cream (on amazon.com) Creams like this work wonders for nerve damage!
Inflamed extensor tendons – top of foot pain
A very common problem among people who (like the above condition) ties their shoelaces way too tight. The constant pressure of the shoe pressing into the top of the foot can make the foot swell, and cause the tendons to become sore and inflamed. Make sure you always tie shoelaces loosely. Never buy shoes that are too tight, it may not seem like a big deal at the time, but you will be paying for it later down the road.
Again, your best bet for a treatment for this condition is topical gel or cream. Over the counter pain killers may help as well. Make sure you give your foot time to rest.
Other causes of top of foot pain include:
Bone spurs
Stress Fractures
Nerve entrapment
Metatarsalgia
Tendonitis
Sprain or strain
Aging
Medication
Hormonal Imbalance
Pregnancy
Excessive use of feet
Ingrown toenail
Hammertoe
Foot Pain Treatment :
Over the counter medication (Aspirin, Ibuprofen, etc)
Shoe inserts – we recommend (amazon.com) Powerstep Pinnacle Orthotic Insert
Stretching foot muscles every day
Changing foot wear
Limiting activities (until symptoms die down)
Surgery (for severe cases)
Always consult your doctor. It is best to have a doctor diagnose your symptoms.
Anna Leake is a health blogger that focuses on topics related to nutrition, fitness, and mental health. She was born in New York City but at age 6 moved to the Midwest where she spent her childhood exploring nature with friends and family. Anna graduated from University of Michigan-Ann Arbor with degrees in psychology & human development.
