Stress fractures are one of the most common causes of pain on top of the foot. Oftentimes they occur suddenly, a result of overuse of the foot during repetitive high impact exercise. Pain on top of the foot caused by a stress fracture is typically severe, and there can be swelling involved.
Hammertoes often start out as minor deformities that get worse over the years. If left untreated over time, hammertoes usually need to be corrected with surgery. Although hammertoe is hereditary for some people, most of the time it is caused by wearing poor-fitting shoes. Shoes that don’t fit correctly or are painful to wear (such as high heels or narrow toe shoes) can force your foot into abnormal positions. Wearing shoes like this can eventually lead to this painful condition.
Pain on top of the foot around the big toe is often caused by gout. Gout is a complicated form of inflammatory arthritis. It can result in severe attacks of acute pain in the big toe, accompanied by tender, swollen joints. Gout is caused by high levels of uric acid in a person’s blood. As the uric acid crystalizes, crystal deposits form in the joints and tendons leading to a great deal of pain.
A fungal infection in the skin of the foot, Athlete’s Foot is both common and contagious. It is caused by a fungus that results in itching, scaling and flaking of the skin on the feet. Typically, Athlete’s Foot is transmitted in public showers and in areas where people walk barefoot. Wearing tight shoes or socks that are not dry causes the fungus to form. If not treated, this condition can cause blisters. In extremely severe cases, untreated Athlete’s Foot can even lead to amputation.
When a nerve located on the top of the foot becomes pinched or crushed, the condition is called nerve entrapment. Typically nerve entrapment is caused by an injury to the foot (such as dropping a heavy object on it). It is also caused by wearing shoes that are too tight. The pain caused by nerve entrapment is usually described as shooting or burning. Feeling a “pins and needles” sensation is also common with this issue.
Ganglion cysts are typically not serious, but can cause pain. They consist of a pea to golf ball sized bump of swelled fluid that builds around joints of tendons. Aging and injury are typical causes of ganglion cysts. Many of these cysts disappear on their own after a few years. Your podiatrist can drain the fluid in the cyst with a needle, but recurrence is common in 1 in 5 people.
When tendons on top of the foot become inflamed, the condition is called extensor tendonitis. Extensor tendonitis is caused by a variety of reasons ranging from shoes that are too tight to foot injuries. Running on uneven surfaces can also cause the issue. Other signs of extensor tendonitis include swelling and bruising.
A bone spur is a small, pointed outgrowth of bone. A bone spur pain on top of the foot can be caused by arthritis or tendonitis. Bone spurs can be diagnosed with tests ranging from from X-rays to MRIs.
This common condition is caused by spurring on the top of the foot that is due to arthritis or collapsed arches. The spurred bones jam together and result in pain when pressure is applied. Most patients who have this condition will feel worse when walking barefoot and feel better with shoes that have good arch support.
This issue is very uncommon, but it does cause pain on the top of the foot. The Sinus Tarsi is a channel through which blood vessels, ligaments and nerves pass. This tiny channel is located between the heel bone and the ankle. When it becomes irritated due to a sprained ankle or repetitive activities, pain will occur.
If you believe you have any of these issues, or just can’t get rid of the pain on top of your foot, seek the advice of a qualified podiatrist.
The podiatrists at The Beltsville Foot and Ankle Center have extensive experience diagnosing and treating these causes of pain on top of your foot. Give us a call today at 301-937-5666 or simply fill out the form on the top right of this page to schedule your appointment.
