While pain and discomfort on the top of your foot may not be as common as in other areas of the foot, top-of-the-foot injuries are nonetheless potentially very debilitating. A variety of factors and conditions, including fractures and diseases, can contribute to top-of-the-foot pain and can make standing, walking, working, and exercising difficult or impossible.

5 reasons for experiencing pain on the top of your foot include the following:

• Trauma to the foot—Some of the bones on top of the foot, such as the metatarsals, can be easily fractured by dropping something a little heavy (like your phone) on your toes. Stress fractures on the top of the foot can be very painful and difficult to trace and diagnose since pain can radiate from other locations. See your foot doctor for the proper care.
• Tight-fitting shoes—Shoes that are too tight can cause constriction to the top of the foot, increasing rubbing, redness, and blistering.
• Systemic diseases—A variety of arthritic conditions, gout, diabetes, and peripheral artery disease, to name a few, can contribute to stiffness and fluid retention in the foot, including the top of the foot.
• Hormone changes—Being pregnant or going through menopause causes hormone changes that can contribute to swelling and pain on the top of the foot.
• Effects of aging—Aging causes your bones and muscles to weaken, often to cause or contribute to an increase in discomfort and pain on top of the foot.

You may have a broken foot if you can’t put any weight on it, so seek immediate care. Call Syracuse Podiatry located in East Syracuse, New York. Dr. Ryan L. D’Amico, Dr. Kathleen Pyatak-Hugar, and Dr. Donal M. Erickson and their staff will help you diagnose and treat your foot or ankle condition. Call 315-446-3668 or make an appointment online today.