The top of the foot can hurt due to various reasons, with common causes including:
- Overuse injuries such as extensor tendonitis (inflammation of the tendons on top of the foot) often caused by repetitive activities, running, or wearing tight shoes, leading to pain, swelling, and tenderness.
- Stress fractures, which are small cracks in foot bones from repetitive stress, causing sharp localized pain worsening with activity.
- Structural foot issues like flat feet or high arches affecting weight distribution and leading to discomfort.
- Medical conditions such as gout (causing sudden intense pain and swelling), arthritis (pain and stiffness from joint inflammation), and nerve-related issues like peripheral neuropathy causing pain or tingling.
- Wearing tight or improper footwear putting pressure on the top of the foot.
- Injuries such as sprains, strains, or trauma to the foot.
Pain severity, symptoms like swelling or redness, and activities triggering the pain can help identify the cause. If pain persists, worsens, or is accompanied by significant swelling or numbness, medical assessment is recommended for diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
