Foot Pain on Top: Many people suffer from foot issues, some are very painful and debilitating, others experience minor issues that are easily repaired with some support. Some foot issues are caused by the kind of shoes people wear. People who wear narrow toed shoes and high heels experience more than just foot pain. Sometimes stiff leg muscles are associated with foot pain and high heels. Shoes that are too tight or loose can also cause foot injury. If a foot doesn’t have the proper support, it can cause a collapsed arch in some cases. In other cases where the person has a strenuous fitness training regimen with high impact exercises foot pain top can be caused by a stress fracture in one of the Metatarsal bones.
How Shoes Cause Foot Pain on Top
Shoes that don’t fit properly can contribute to feet problems. If a shoe is too big the person might be more at risk of getting sprains or strains. A sprained ankle can still cause foot pain top because when a sprain occurs, the ligaments that hold the foot’s bones together tear due to being overstretched. If a ligament’s fibers tear the ligament becomes loose and unable to hold the bones together causing pain. Shoes that are laced too tightly can also cause foot pain top by causing inflammation of the extensor tendons. The extensor tendons help keep toes straight and run along the top of the foot. When a shoe has been tied too tightly it causes unnecessary pressure on the extensor tendons, which irritates it and leads to inflammation. Pain caused by inflamed extensor tendons is easy to resolve by loosening the shoe to release pressure on the extensor tendons.
Shoes also can prevent the foot from building muscles meaning the foot’s muscles weren’t strong enough to prevent the injury from happening. There are special kinds of shoes that are designed to conform to the foot’s natural shape and help build muscles naturally. These shoes are commonly known as “barefoot shoes.”
Some people who have flat feet or a collapsed arch should wear shoes with orthopedic inserts to support or create the arch of the foot. Shoes that don’t provide enough support can cause foot pain top and a myriad of other issues such as knee, hip and back pain.
Types of Injuries to Feet
Sprains are common injuries for the foot area. If an ankle has been sprained the muscles that connect the foot to ankle have been injured and can cause a temporary imbalance in the foot’s structure. An imbalance can occur when tendons or ligaments that normally hold bones and toes in place have been stretched out or torn.
Fractures and broken bones also are common injuries in a foot. A stress fracture is a common injury in people who participate in high impact and strenuous activity such as marathon runners. Runners are constantly putting stress on the same structure of the foot which can cause stress fractures from repetitive impact. For some people physical therapy might be needed to help strengthen the muscle around the fractured bone after it has healed to decrease chances of fracturing the bone again.
In addition to fractures bone spurs also can be responsible for pain on top of the foot. A bone spur is basically a bone that has been enlarged due to the body trying to heal itself by building an extra bone in response to constant pressure over a long period of time. Bone spurs can be visible as a bump on top of the foot. If pain on the top of the foot is being caused by a bone spur this simple remedy can help alleviate pressure on the bone spur and take away some of the pain. A piece of foam rubber can be used; cut it around ¼ inch thick to form a doughnut shaped pad that will fit over the bone spur. The foam rubber can be put directly on the bone spur or glued to the inside of the shoe, where it will cover the spur. The foam rubber will help alleviate direct pressure on the bone spur. Serious bone spurs in the foot can be removed surgically if the symptoms cannot be treated with rest and extra padding in the shoes.
Pain on top of the foot can be caused by a myriad of reasons, including a foot stress fracture. Fortunately, many of these issues can be treated or alleviated over time without surgery or serious medical procedures. When there is pain on top of the foot visit a doctor to determine what the cause is and take necessary steps to help the foot heal. Healthy and sound feet are the foundation for a healthy and sound body.