An easy walk or maybe just a game of football with your friends can turn unpleasant if your foot pain flares up. Foot pain is much more than an annoying reflex; it is our body’s way of telling us to pay attention to the affected area. At Prestige Medical Care in Arizona, led by Carla Aldaz, MSN, FNP, ANCC-BC, we diagnose and treat underlying conditions causing foot pain, regardless of the affected area.
Foot Pain: Which Areas Are Impacted?
It is not a secret that pain can disrupt our daily routine, hobbies, and special moments. When it comes, it’s time to evaluate which activity or movement could be putting stress on the affected area. For obvious reasons, our feet are prone to a wide range of stressors and can suffer from poor movement or common wear and tear. When this occurs, it is important to understand the causes of the pain and, ideally, be reviewed by a professional for diagnosis and treatment.
Causes Behind Top of Foot Pain
Your foot has 26 bones, 33 joints, and over 100 muscles, ligaments, and tendons, so a minor problem can impact the overall function. Foot pain can occur anywhere in your foot, including your heel, arch, toes, side, bottom, and top.
The top of the foot alone contains multiple metatarsal bones and extensor tendons, meaning small injuries create significant discomfort, and even minor inflammation can make walking or shoe wear uncomfortable.
Identifying the cause behind pain isn’t as simple as you could think; sometimes, pain occurs exactly at the problem site, while at other times, discomfort in one area may result from strain or instability elsewhere.
Extensor tendinitis
Tendons over the top of our foot are prone to getting overstressed during long walks or when practicing a sport, especially when wearing tight shoes. In these situations of built-up irritation, the body reacts with inflammation of the tendons responsible for lifting the toes and flexing the ankle.
Symptoms of Extensor Tendinitis include:
- Pain (either along the length of a tendon or in an area around it).
- Pain that gets worse when you use your foot.
- Stiffness.
- Swelling.
- Discoloration or warmth around a tendon.
At the moment of diagnosis, our specialist will need a physical exam, confirmation of symptoms, and they may palpate the foot areas with swelling or tenderness.
Stress Fractures
Metatarsals are vulnerable to small cracks caused by repetitive stress, especially in active people such as runners, dancers, or military recruits. Stress fractures develop gradually and usually cause a dull, persistent ache that worsens during high-impact activities. The pain generally localizes to a particular spot and may be accompanied by mild swelling.
Symptoms of Stress Fractures include:
- Pain that goes away during rest
- Pain that is associated with physical activities throughout the day
- Swelling on the top of the foot or on the outside of the ankle
- Tenderness when pressure is applied to the area directly over the injured bone
- Possible bruising
Midfoot Arthritis
The midfoot has several small joints that can stiffen or develop arthritis over time, especially in people with flat feet or previous foot injuries. It may feel like a deep ache across the top of the arch and be accompanied by limited flexibility or a crunching sensation when the foot moves.
Symptoms of Midfoot Arthritis include:
- Pain after walking or standing for a long time
- Difficulty walking
- Visible bump on the top of your foot that looks bony
Foot Pain in Arizona: Get the Expert Care Your Feet Need
At Prestige Medical Care, we understand how complex the human foot is and the potential factors that may be causing discomfort or damage. Carla Aldaz is committed to diagnosing, treating, and supporting you in every step to deliver exceptional patient care and achieve optimal outcomes.
If you have noticed that your foot is causing you discomfort or that certain zones are painful, we are ready to help you. Contact us today to schedule your consultation and receive the expert care your foot needs.