Do you experience persistent pain around the top of your foot? If so, finding relief is probably a top priority. Finding the right solution to your issue is crucial to experiencing long-lasting relief. While treatment options such as pain medications can offer temporary pain relief, it’s important to find a more long-term solution.

One of the best ways to address your foot pain at the source is physical therapy. A physical therapist can address your pain with an array of evidence-driven treatment techniques, ranging from targeted exercises to hands-on manual therapy. Physical therapy is tailored to each person’s needs. To understand what strategies will best address your pain, it’s necessary to first understand the explanation for your symptoms. By learning about some common causes of pain on the top of the foot, you may learn more about your own condition and how it can be addressed.

What causes the top of your foot to hurt? 5 common explanations

• Tendinitis — If you’re experiencing chronic pain and stiffness in your foot, tendinitis may be the explanation. Tendinitis happens when tendons, which function to connect muscles and bones, get irritated and inflamed. The result is persistent symptoms like joint stiffness and persistent, radiating pain. If the tendons around the top of your foot are inflamed, you may also notice visible swelling in the area. Tendon inflammation typically occurs due to repetitive stressful motions. Foot tendinitis is especially common in athletes who use improper technique during sports activities. When addressing foot tendinitis, your physical therapist will develop a treatment plan tailored to your needs and recovery goals.
• Arthritis — Arthritis is a chronic condition involving the inflammation of joints. There are several different types of arthritis; the most common include osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition that leads to joint inflammation, and osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition that causes the cartilage between joints to break down. When arthritis affects the foot joints, you may experience pain, stiffness and swelling. You may also notice that the top of your foot is tender and sensitive to touch. Though arthritis is a chronic condition, its symptoms can be managed. With physical therapy, you can benefit from treatments focused on pain management and restoring joint flexibility in your foot.
• Nerve compression — Is the pain around the top of your foot accompanied by burning or tingling? If so, your foot pain might be caused by peripheral neuropathy. Peripheral neuropathy refers to nerve damage outside the central nervous system. If the nerves in your foot are compressed or damaged, you might experience symptoms such as pain, tingling and numbness. Nerve compression is often caused by swelling or tightness in the tissue surrounding the nerve. To address nerve pain in the foot, your physical therapist may utilize techniques intended to reduce inflammation and tension. 
• Muscle strain — Muscle strain happens when a muscle is stretched too far or torn. When you strain a muscle in your foot, you may experience lingering effects such as pain around the top of the foot. Muscle strain is just one of many kinds of direct trauma the foot can sustain. If you’ve recently experienced a foot injury, it’s important to seek treatment. Early intervention can help prevent more serious symptoms from developing. With physical therapy, you can experience the benefits of hands-on treatment techniques meant to alleviate pain and accelerate healing.
• Stress fractures — A stress fracture is a small crack in the bone. These cracks are typically caused by overuse and repetitive force. If you’re experiencing localized foot pain around certain bones, the cause could be stress fractures. The foot pain associated with stress fractures typically worsens with physical activities. You may notice a spike in your pain levels when putting pressure on the foot while walking or running, for example. If left unaddressed, stress fractures can worsen and cause more pain. Instead of ignoring the issue, it’s important to find a solution to your stress fractures as soon as possible. Rest is one of the most vital aspects of recovery. To let your stress fractures heal, you should avoid physical activities that put pressure on your foot. Try to stay off the foot as much as you can. Elevating the foot can also be helpful, as it can promote better blood flow and reduce swelling around the fractures. Working with a physical therapist can offer personalized recovery guidance and valuable insights. You can also benefit from specialized treatment techniques intended to provide lasting relief.

“Why does the top of my foot hurt?” 3 preventable underlying causes

Foot pain is a very common experience. In the general population, prevalence estimates vary from 9% to 30%. This pain can have a range of medical explanations. In many cases, these conditions have underlying causes that can be prevented. To avoid experiencing more pain in the future, it can help to learn more about some of the most common reasons for painful foot conditions:

• Overuse — Repeated stressful activities are a key risk factor for pain around the top of the foot. When you’re working out, self-regulation is essential. Frequent rest periods allow your body to heal and recover from exercise. If you engage your feet too much without allowing for proper breaks, you may experience pain as a result of overuse. Common repetitive motions that can lead to overuse include running and jumping. These activities are common in many sports, which is one reason why athletes may be at a heightened risk for overuse injuries. Want to continue improving your physical fitness in a safe, sustainable manner? A sports performance training program may be right for you.
• Inadequate footwear — Noticing pain on the top of your foot after wearing tight shoes? Your footwear might be contributing to your discomfort. When you’re experiencing foot pain, wearing supportive, well-fitting footwear is crucial. The wrong shoes can lead to a myriad of issues, including arch pain and poor blood circulation. Good footwear will support the arches of your feet and conform to your foot shape without restricting your movements or blood flow. If you think your pain might be related to your footwear, try experimenting with different shoes. You may need to change to a different shoe size or find a different kind of footwear that feels more comfortable. For specialized arch support, you may also find relief by using orthotic insoles.
• Gait issues — Gait refers to the way you walk. Like posture, it can have a major effect on your foot health. Proper gait involves even, balanced steps that spread out the impact of each footfall. If you have gait issues, you may put uneven pressure on certain areas of your feet when you walk, which can lead to the development of painful conditions like stress fractures. For many people, gait issues are directly linked to balance disorders. A balance disorder can make you feel dizzy, causing you to walk differently. Physical therapists can provide vestibular training, helping you regain your balance and avoid future foot pain caused by gait issues.

Find foot pain relief with Lattimore Physical Therapy

Ready to address your foot pain? Lattimore Physical Therapy can help you experience lasting relief. Working with one of our licensed physical therapists, you can help develop a personalized treatment plan tailored to your needs. Your treatment plan will integrate a range of effective PT techniques designed to provide comprehensive care for your foot pain.

Contact our team today for more information about foot pain treatments or to schedule an initial appointment.