Top of foot pain refers to discomfort or pain experienced on the upper surface of the foot. This type of pain can result from various causes and conditions, affecting individuals of different ages and activity levels. Some common causes of top of foot pain include:
Extensor Tendonitis
Inflammation or overuse of the tendons that run along the top of the foot can lead to tendonitis, causing pain, swelling, and tenderness.
Stress Fractures
Repetitive stress or sudden increase in activity can cause small fractures in the bones of the foot, leading to pain and discomfort. called stress fractures.
Metatarsal Fractures
Fractures of the metatarsal bones (the long bones in the midfoot) can cause pain at the top of the foot.
Morton's Neuroma
This condition involves a thickening of the tissue around the nerves leading to the toes, often causing a sharp or burning pain on the top of the foot.
Tarsal Coalition
An abnormal connection between two bones in the foot can lead to pain on the top of the foot, particularly during physical activity.
Arthritis
Inflammatory conditions like arthritis can affect the joints in the midfoot, causing pain and stiffness.
Nerve Compression
Compression of nerves in the foot can result in pain and other sensory symptoms on the top of the foot.
Tight Footwear
Wearing ill-fitting or tight shoes can cause pressure on the top of the foot, leading to pain and discomfort.
Dorsal Ganglion Cyst
A cystic swelling that can develop on the top of the foot, causing pain and irritation.
Treatment for Pain on the Top of the Foot
Treatment for top of foot pain typically begins with conservative measures such as rest, ice application, and elevation to reduce swelling and discomfort. Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or naproxen can help manage pain and inflammation. Footwear modifications are often crucial; wearing shoes with a wide toe box and using cushioned insoles or custom orthotics can provide relief by redistributing pressure and offering support.
Physical therapy plays a vital role, incorporating exercises to strengthen foot muscles, improve flexibility, and employ manual therapy techniques. Gentle stretching and massage can alleviate tension in the foot and surrounding areas. In some cases, taping or bracing the foot may offer additional support. Activity modification is important, temporarily avoiding aggravating activities and gradually returning as symptoms improve. Custom orthotics can help stabilize the foot, which can reduce pain and inflammation.
In more severe or persistent cases, our Albuquerque podiatrist might recommend corticosteroid injections to reduce inflammation. Weight management can also help by reducing stress on the feet. For underlying conditions like diabetes or arthritis, addressing these issues is crucial for long-term relief. In rare instances where conservative treatments fail, foot surgery might be considered to address structural problems.
Rest and Ice:
- Apply ice for 15-20 minutes at a time, several times a day, to reduce inflammation and numb pain.
Elevation:
- Elevate the foot above heart level when resting to reduce swelling.
Compression:
- Use compression socks or bandages to minimize swelling and provide support.
Pain Relief Medications:
- Over-the-counter NSAIDs like ibuprofen or naproxen can help reduce pain and inflammation.
Footwear Modifications:
- Wear shoes with a wide toe box to reduce pressure on the top of the foot.
- Use cushioned insoles for added shock absorption.
Orthotics:
- Custom orthotics or over-the-counter inserts can provide support and redistribute pressure.
Taping or Bracing:
- Athletic tape or specialized braces can provide support and limit painful movements.
Activity Modification:
- Temporarily avoid activities that exacerbate the pain, gradually returning as symptoms improve.
Proper Fitting Shoes:
- Ensure shoes fit correctly and provide adequate support.
Corticosteroid Injections:
- For severe cases, a doctor may recommend corticosteroid injections to reduce inflammation.
Surgery:
- In rare cases where conservative treatments fail, surgery might be considered to address underlying issues like bone spurs or tendon problems.
Alternative Therapies:
- Some find relief through acupuncture or other alternative medicine approaches.
Addressing Underlying Conditions:
- Treat any underlying conditions that may be causing or contributing to the pain, such as diabetes or arthritis.
KT Tape for Top of Foot Pain Video Summary
This is when you have pain across the top of the foot and ankle. Some causes of this may be overuse, tight poorly fitting or worn out shoes, running on uneven surfaces may also be a cause. KT Tape helps treat this condition by relieving pressure to reduce pain, relaxes associate muscles, and may increase circulation.
For this application, I'm actually going to place a red dot just on top of the foot. Your pain may vary by location, but we'll just use this as a reference. Okay, and position-wise, we're actually going to place the foot in plantar flexion, or in other words, toes pointing away from the shins. For the first part of this application, we're gonna take a full strip of KT Tape. Folding that in half. We will take a pair of scissors and cut rounded corners on the folded end of the tape. Rounding the corners helps prevent the tape from rolling up or catching on clothing. We're then going to twist and tear the backer paper right in the middle of that first piece. Peeling that paperback, being very careful not to touch the adhesive part of the tape. We're then going to apply this over that point of pain with an eighty percent stretch.
So we're going to stretch that all the way out and then back that off just a little bit, and then place that over the point of pain. We're going just to pinch off the ends and lay the ends of that tape down with absolutely zero stretch. So the only stretched portion of that piece is in the middle. We're going to give it a good rub, especially on the edges so it sticks well, that creates a little heat.
Okay, we're going to take our second piece, and we're going to tear again right in the middle. This is from the first piece we cut. We're going to apply nice even pressure with our thumbs, going over at that point of pain once again, just a little bit higher. Eighty percent stretch, peeling off the paper, and laying down the ends with absolutely zero stretch. And for our last piece, we're going to take a full strip. This time we're going to tear the tape down by the logo end. This creates an anchor point that we will place just beyond those first two pieces on the skin, but behind the toes. We're also going to flex the toes to stretch the skin over that area. We're going to peel the paper back, but again handling the tape with the paper only. We're going to now put a fifty percent stretch on this, so a hundred percent, then backing halfway off. And now laying that down on the skin, and in the very top part, we're going to take off that paper and place that down on the skin with absolutely zero stretch. We're going to give the whole thing a good rub just to make sure the edges are down over the entire application. A little friction creates heat, heat activates the adhesive on the tape.
Summary
- KT Tape can be used to treat top of foot pain caused by overuse, tight shoes, worn-out shoes, or running on uneven surfaces.
- The application involves placing a strip of KT Tape with 80% stretch over the point of pain, pinching off the ends without any stretch, and rubbing the tape to ensure it sticks well.
- A second piece of KT Tape is applied slightly higher than the first one, using the same stretching and laying down technique.
- An anchor point is created with a full strip of KT Tape torn down by the logo end and placed behind the toes, with 50% stretch applied.
- Helpful tips before applying include cleaning the skin, trimming hair, wearing a sock while sleeping, and considering complementary treatments like rest, ice, stretching, massaging, and anti-inflammatory medications. Seek medical care for severe pain, swelling, or discoloration.