Pain in Top of Foot
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Try one of these related symptoms.
My foot hurts on top
The instep of the left foot hurts
The instep of the right foot hurts
My instep hurts
Pain in top of foot
Discomfort in top part of the foot
Foot pain
Foot injury
About the Symptom
Dorsal foot pain describes a painful sensation on the top part of the foot. The pain may be pressing, sharp, burining or dull in nature.
Possible Causes
Generally, Pain in top of foot can be related to:
- Hallux Valgus
Hallux valgus, or a bunion, is a bony bump that forms on the joint at the base of the big toe when the big toe pushes against the next toe. Tight shoes, foot stress, and arthritis are common causes. It can lead to deformity.
- Gout / Pseudogout
Gout and pseudogout are diseases caused by inflammation and crystal accumulation in the joints. Gout results from uric acid crystals, while pseudogout stems from calcium pyrophosphate crystals. Both are marked by sudden, painful swelling in one or more joints. Gout attacks can be triggered by eating purine-rich foods like seafood, alcohol, and red meat, while pseudogout may be due to joint injury, surgery, or immune issues.
- Lumbar Vertebrae Disk Herniation
Also known as a slipped disc, this condition is characterized by injury to the cushioning discs between the spinal bones in the lower back (lumbar vertabrae) that causes the disc to bulge outward or rupture. The disc bulge puts pressure on adjacent nerves, which causes pain, leg weakness, or numbness. Poor posture, exercising with incorrect form, or occasionally benign non-lifting movement are some possible causes of this disorder.
- Osteomalacia / Rickets
- Neuropathic Pain
- Lumbar Spondylosis
- Osteoporosis
- Fabry Disease / Lysosomal Storage Disorder
- Acute Porphyria
Related Serious Diseases
Sometimes, Pain in top of foot may be related to these serious diseases:
- Cellulitis / Erysipelas
A bacterial skin infection, cellulitis occurs when bacteria invade the skin through a tear, which can be caused by insect bites, wounds, or scratching. People with diabetes and weakened immune systems have a higher risk.
Doctor's Diagnostic Questions
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this symptom:
- Do you have pain on the top of your foot?
- On a scale of 1 to 10, how severe was your pain on the top of your foot at its worst?
- How is the pain on the top of your foot now?
- How often do you experience a pain on the top of your foot?
- When did you first notice the pain on the top of your foot?
Reviewed By:
Kent C Doan, MD (Orthopedics)
Dr Doan Graduated from the University of Missouri Kansas City School of Medicine and completed residency training in Orthopedic Surgery at the University of Colorado. He completed additional fellowship training in Orthopedic Sports Medicine at the prestigious Steadman Clinic and Steadman Philippon Research Institute in Vail, Colorado. He is a practicing Orthopedic Surgeon who specializes in complex and revision knee and shoulder surgery at the Kansas City Orthopedic Institute. He also holds an assistant professorship at the University of Kansas City.
Yoshinori Abe, MD (Internal Medicine)
Dr. Abe graduated from The University of Tokyo School of Medicine in 2015. He completed his residency at the Tokyo Metropolitan Health and Longevity Medical Center. He co-founded Ubie, Inc. in May 2017, where he currently serves as CEO & product owner at Ubie. Since December 2019, he has been a member of the Special Committee for Activation of Research in Emergency AI of the Japanese Association for Acute Medicine. | | Dr. Abe has been elected in the 2020 Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia Healthcare & Science category.
Content updated on Feb 6, 2025
Following the Medical Content Editorial Policy
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FAQs
Q.
What are the causes of the pain in the top of the foot?
A.
Pain in the top of the foot can arise from various causes, including injuries, structural issues, and underlying medical conditions. Understanding these causes is essential for effective treatment and management.
References:
Ashman CJ, Klecker RJ, Yu JS. Forefoot pain involving the metatarsal region: differential diagnosis with MR imaging. Radiographics. 2001 Nov-Dec;21(6):1425-40. doi: 10.1148/radiographics.21.6.g01nv071425. PMID: 11706214.
Afonso PD, Britto SV, Spritzer CE, Martins E Souza P. Differential Diagnosis of Metatarsalgia. Semin Musculoskelet Radiol. 2023 Jun;27(3):337-350. doi: 10.1055/s-0043-1764388. Epub 2023 May 25. PMID: 37230133.
Cooper MT. Common Painful Foot and Ankle Conditions: A Review. JAMA. 2023 Dec 19;330(23):2285-2294. doi: 10.1001/jama.2023.23906. PMID: 38112812.
Q.
What are the possible causes of pain and swelling on the top part of the foot?
A.
Fractures and stress fractures, bacterial infections such as cellulitis, and gout should be considered.
References:
Welck MJ, Hayes T, Pastides P, Khan W, Rudge B. Stress fractures of the foot and ankle. Injury. 2017 Aug;48(8):1722-1726. doi: 10.1016/j.injury.2015.06.015. Epub 2015 Sep 15. PMID: 26412591.
Hossain M, Clutton J, Ridgewell M, Lyons K, Perera A. Stress Fractures of the Foot. Clin Sports Med. 2015 Oct;34(4):769-90. doi: 10.1016/j.csm.2015.06.011. PMID: 26409595.
Sullivan T, de Barra E. Diagnosis and management of cellulitis. Clin Med (Lond). 2018 Mar;18(2):160-163. doi: 10.7861/clinmedicine.18-2-160. PMID: 29626022; PMCID: PMC6303460.
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Link to full study:
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.08.29.24312810v1References
Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons 29(4):p 148-157, February 15, 2021. | DOI: 10.5435/JAAOS-D-20-00869