Foot Pain That Occurs On The Top And How To Reduce It
Foot pain that affects the top can be hard to deal with. It can make it uncomfortable to walk and hard to wear shoes. It can make it hard to focus or to sleep well. There are many reasons why such pain can develop. It can be due to the level of physical activity you take part in at work or through sports. It can be due to an injury or type of trauma.
Pain on top of your foot is going to get your attention. It is going to make it hard for you to continue with your normal routine. There are different levels and types of such top of the foot pain too.
This includes:
- Dull
- Intermittent
- Sharp
It all depends on why the pain is present. It could be due to a fracture as the result of an injury. It can also be due to Tendinitis or a type of food disorder. There are treatments you can take part in on your own to identify the cause and to help reduce that foot pain. If those efforts don’t do the trick though, you need to make an appointment to see a doctor so they can help you to resolve the issue.
Conditions such as arthritis, gout, diabetes, and more can all cause foot pain on top. When you can get the foot pain under control, you will soon be able to get back to your normal routine. You may need to make some changes though so the problem doesn’t persist or return later on.
Common Types of Foot Problems
The type of foot pain you have is often an indicator as to the problem you have. It can also help you to decide which treatment options you will consider to get through that pain and to feel better.
- Arthritis – Inflammation is often causing the top foot pain when someone has arthritis. With more than 30 joints found in the foot, they can easily be affected.
- Avulsion Fracture – This type of fracture may be present when someone suffers from a sprained ankle. This can cause ligaments or tendons to be pulled out of place.
- Ganglion Cyst – A cyst can develop due to fluid that builds up under the skin. This is going to put pressure on the nerves at the top of the food. This irritation is responsible for the pain.
- Jones Fracture – A hairline fracture due to stress and strain is often present.
- Lisfranc Midfoot Injury – The midfoot ligaments may be stretched out or they may be broken.
- Midshaft Fracture – This type of fracture is present around the 5th Metatarsal. This can happen if you twist wrong during sports or you have an injury that includes trauma.
- Tendinitis – The tendons located at the top of the foot can be overextended, and that is often due to Tendinitis. It can be very painful due to the inflammation.
Get It Under Control
When you experience foot pain on top, don’t ignore it. Instead, you need to get it under control. There are several things you can do to get things moving in the right direction. Your body is trying to tell you something is off, and if you ignore those signs, it can get worse and worse. Early intervention can have you back to your normal self before you know it!
Plenty of Rest
You will need to slow down and get plenty of rest when you have top of the food pain. You may have to take some time off work or ask to be assigned to tasks where you don’t have to stand up so much. You may have to take some time out from sports practice and playing so you can take care of the issue.
Ice and Elevation
While you are resting, prop your foot or feet up so that they can be elevated. Putting a pillow under them is a good place to start. This can help reduce the pain and it can help to reduce some of the inflammation. Apply an ice pack several times per day to the area too as that will also help reduce pain and reduce the inflamed elements.
Over The Counter Pain Medication
Such pain is often associated with inflammation. Over the counter pain medication can help to reduce the inflammation and give you some relief. Make sure you read the label on the product and you don’t take more than the daily recommended dose. Don’t rely on such medication for long periods of time. If you don’t feel the issue is getting better after a few days call to make an appointment with your doctor.
Physical Therapy
Depending on the underlying reason for foot pain on the top, your doctor may encourage you to go to physical therapy. Show up on time for all appointments and don’t skip any such appointments. Work hard to help strengthen your feet and to take care of any issues that have been identified. At the same time, you may be asked to take part in exercises at home between those sessions. No one can make you do them, but you are strongly encouraged to do so!
Injections of Steroids
If the pain and inflammation are significant over the counter pain medications may not be enough for you to benefit from. You may need to see your doctor at regular intervals for injections of steroids.