Bursitis In The Foot Or Ankle
Bursitis causes pain and inflammation, commonly around hard-working joints such as in the big toe, ball of the foot, heel, or ankle. It can also affect any part of the body.
It is caused by swelling in a small pocket of fluid, known as a bursa, or bursae if more than one is affected. Normally these small pouches cushion and protect your bones, joints, and tendons from impact, rubbing or pressure.
However, repeated rubbing, friction, excessive pressure, or injury can cause the fluid inside to increase making the affected bursa inflamed and tender.
For example, you can get bursitis between your ankle and heel if you keep wearing shoes that rub, pinch, or press down on the area. Shoes that are too tight and high heels regularly cause bursitis.
It often appears as a red, painful, swollen lump. However, it can also cause general swelling that you only notice because of the pain, for instance on the bottom of your heel.
People with bunions or irritated joints can be prone to bursitis. Rheumatoid arthritis can also cause bursitis, particularly in the ball of the foot.
The self-care tips recommended earlier should help relieve your pain and inflammation. However, instead of bandaging the area, try using adhesive padding on the swelling to protect it from further friction and pressure. Resting it on a cushion can also help.
If you find self-care treatments are not helping speak to a healthcare professional.
Types Of Tendonitis Of The Foot Or Ankle
- Peroneal tendonitis pain and inflammation along the outer edge of the heel.
- Achilles tendonitis causes heel and calf pain, typically felt when walking or running, extending all the way up to the middle of the calf.
- Extensor tendonitis causes pain on the top of the foot, a very rare type of ankle tendonitis.
- Anterior tibial tendonitis causes pain on the front of your foot, typically felt when walking down stairs or on sloped surfaces.
- Posterior tibial tendonitis pain and inflammation on the inner portion of the ankle , can contribute to flat foot.
Treating Top Of The Foot Pain And Swelling
Remedy for pain on top of the foot will depend on the underlying cause. If it is a minor problem with minimal pain and swelling, you can usually treat yourself at home with RICE Protocol, Non-Steroidal-Anti-inflammatory Drugs, and gentle exercises.
If the pain is more extreme, is becoming worse, there is marked swelling or you cannot bear weight, see your physician. Because our feet hold our entire body weight, a mild injury could develop into a more extensive one if it goes untreated. Treatment depends on determining the cause of the condition and may comprise:
- Physical therapy, which can help treat conditions such as peripheral neuropathy, extensor tendonitis, and damage to the peroneal nerve
- A cast or walking boot for injuries such as broken bones or fractures
- NSAIDs or other anti-inflammatory drugs, which can help reduce inflammation, including inflammation from gout
- Surgery is very rare case.
Home treatment can help with foot pain at most times. It would help if you rest the affected foot as much as possible. You can apply ice to the affected area in the acute phase for twenty minutes at a time or as you tolerate. Also, you may apply alternate cold & hot therapy wrap after 72 hours of injury and 3 times a day. When you have to walk, put on supportive, smooth-fitting shoes that arent too tight.
Read Also: Northwell Health Orthopedics Great Neck
What Conditions Can Cause Top Of Foot Pain
Its important to note that some health issues, such as diabetes or Gout, can cause pain in the feet. These are special types of health conditions, so its important to always consult with your doctor about overall health and wellbeing when you experience pain in the feet.
Some types of stress fractures of the bones in the feet can cause painful symptoms and these should be examined by a podiatrist to perform an assessment and diagnosis.
There are a number of conditions that will cause pain in the top of the foot that are not strictly the result of an injury.
Problems Linked To Low And High Arches
Arches that are higher or lower than average can increase your risk of developing other problems, such as:
- corns and calluses.
The self-care tips can help ease pain in your arches.
Changing your footwear to a well-made running trainer that you feel supports the shape of your arch may prevent further painful changes to the structure of your arches.
Insoles and arch supports can help but its best to visit a foot specialist, such as a podiatrist, to get ones designed specifically for your foot shape.
If youre buying new footwear its best to take any adaptations, such as insoles, padding, or arch supports with you, as you may need a larger shoe size to fit them in comfortably.
Losing weight, if you need to, can reduce the strain on your arches and may prevent further long-term changes.
You may find it difficult to do exercises that put a lot of pressure through your feet. Swimming is a good way to improve and maintain your fitness because the water supports your body weight.
Don’t Miss: Used 19 Foot Motorhome For Sale
Symptoms Of Tendonitis Of The Ankle Or Foot
The most common symptoms of foot or ankle tendonitis are localized pain, swelling, and stiffness.
Pain is the first sign of foot or ankle tendonitis. The pain typically lessens over time but then resurfaces the longer you spend on the foot or ankle.
You should schedule an appointment with your primary care doctor, a podiatrist or an orthopedic specialist if pain and swelling worsen even after resting.
How To Treat A Fractured Foot
Before you visit your doctor to examine the injury, use the proven RICE therapy as top of foot pain treatment to reduce swelling:
You should also avoid taking hot baths or drinking alcoholic beverages for the first two days after the injury. You may use over-the-counter medication to reduce pain.
Besides RICE therapy, your doctor will also immobilize the area with a short walking boot, cast shoe, brace or elastic bandage. For a stress fracture, they may give you protective footwear and crutches to reduce stress on your foot.
Don’t Miss: Top Of Foot Pain From Running
Pain On The Top Or Sides Of Your Feet
From tendonitis and stress fractures to bone spurs, joint inflammation and morepain on the top or sides of your feet should always be taken seriously. Have you picked up an activity recently that your feet might not be used to? Or, maybe youve been squeezing your feet into shoes that are too tight and/or dont have much arch support. No matter the cause, its important to see a foot and ankle specialist to diagnose and treat the pain.
When Should You See A Doctor About Your Pain In Front Of Ankle And Top Of Foot
When is it time to seek medical attention for this type of pain? Pain can be caused by many different things like arthritis, tendonitis, bursitis or even bone spasm.
The best way to know if your symptoms are serious enough that they warrant seeing the doctor would be asking yourself some questions such as:
Is my ankle hurting when I bend at all angles? or Does tingling occur down my leg only during periods where movement occurs between these times? or Have there been any changes to the level of pain?!
These types of inquiries can help determine if there may be something else going on besides just plain old soreness from overuse which could lead to further damage.
Don’t Miss: The Orthopedic And Sports Medicine Institute
Common Causes Of Pain Across The Top Of The Foot
There are many reasons why you might experience pain across the top of your foot. However, overusefrom everyday activities such as walking or runningis the most common cause. Here are some conditions that can develop from overuse:
- Extensor tendonitis: The extensor tendons are on the top of the foot and are used for flexing and pulling the foot upwards. Extensor tendonitis can be treated with rest, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen, steroid injections, physical therapy, or exercises.
- Fractures: Hairline or stress fractures can develop from long periods of running or high-impact activities.
- Midfoot injuries: Midfoot injuries are often a result of an accident, such as dropping a heavy object on your foot. If a midfoot bone breaks or a tendon is inflamed or torn, it can cause pain, swelling, bruising, or redness.
There are other causes of foot pain across the top of the foot as well:
Can Foot Tendonitis Lead To A Tendon Rupture
Severely overstretching or a sudden injury to a tendon can lead to a rupture, causing the tendon to partially or fully break. A tendon rupture in your foot needs medical attention. Talk to your healthcare provider if you:
- Cant put weight on your foot.
- Cant move your foot in a certain direction.
- Have severe foot pain.
- Noticed a snapping or popping sensation in your foot at the time of injury.
Also Check: What’s Good For Sprained Ankle
Enlarged Superficial Varicose Veins
Varicose veins are enlarged dilated veins commonly affecting the lower extremities. They result from damaged valves that cause pooling of blood in your legs and ankle. This results in ankle and foot swelling.
After a long walk or standing for a long time, a varicose vein may cause you to feel cramps at your legs. To prevent this from happening, you can elevate your legs or use compression stockings.
Most Common Conditions Causing Top Of Foot Pain In Seattle
When we experience top of foot pain or pain in other parts of our feet, instead of pushing through it we need to stop and pay attention since pain is a clue something’s not right.
Pain on the top of our feet can come from our bones, tendons, or joints. It can be a sign of a sport’s injury or an underlying condition.
Here are the seven most common conditions causing top of foot pain.
Also Check: Low Heel Clarks Womens Ankle Boots
Why Do I Have Pain On Top Of My Foot
Why do I have pain on top of my foot, you ask? Well, there are so many bones, tendons and muscles in your foot. So, the answer is: many things could create that top of foot pain.
Now, today, well walk you through the many reasons you may have pain on top of your foot. But, whatever the cause, please remember. Were here to help you find relief. Like we did for our patient S. Bell, who shared after a recent visit, Dr. Bachmann took the time to listen to me and clearly told me what my options were. He did not try to guide me toward one or the other and was very helpful is suggesting what treatments were available to me. He is not one-size-fits-all when it comes to treatment. I feel as though I was treated as an individual with my treatment geared to me specifically.
Ready to figure out the cause of that top of foot pain? Just keep reading for some potential causes. And, if anything sounds familiar, be sure to schedule an appointment at one of our podiatrist offices in Spring, TX or Tomball, TX.
What Is Foot Pain
Foot pain can be debilitating to an active lifestyle. Foot pain can have many sources, from fractures and sprains to nerve damage. Listed below are 3 common areas of pain in the foot and their causes:
-
Pain in the ball of the foot. Pain in the ball of the foot, located on the bottom of the foot behind the toes, may be caused by nerve or joint damage in that area. In addition, a benign growth, such as Mortons neuroma, may cause the pain. Corticosteroid injections and wearing supportive shoe inserts may help relieve the pain. Sometimes, surgery is needed.
-
Plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis is characterized by severe pain in the heel of the foot, especially when standing up after resting. The condition is due to an overuse injury of the sole surface of the foot and results in inflammation of the fascia, a tough, fibrous band of tissue that connects the heel bone to the base of the toes.
Plantar fasciitis is more common in women, people who are overweight, people with occupations that require a lot of walking or standing on hard surfaces, people with flat feet, and people with high arches. Walking or running, especially with tight calf muscles, may also cause the condition.
Treatment may include:
-
Stretching exercises of the Achilles tendons and plantar fascia
Recommended Reading: East Valley Foot And Ankle
Can You Walk On A Sprained Or Strained Foot
Although it is possible to walk on some foot sprains and strains, you should refrain from doing so until your injury heals enough. Even though sprains on the top of your foot impact your walking ability less than those on the bottom, you should still prioritize rest. If your ligament, muscle or tendon is completely torn, you likely wont be able to walk or bear any weight on it.
Foot Pain Right Away In The Morning
Even if youre not a morning person who jumps out of bed with a smile to start the day, you should not be in pain when you step out of bed. Shooting pain in your foot or ankle right away in the morning is most often a sign of plantar fasciitis. This condition caused by inflammation of the tendons that connect your heel to your toes. Other causes of morning foot pain could include:
- Ill-fitting shoes
While there are aches and pains that dont warrant a visit to the doctors office, it is always better to err on the side of caution. If you have persistent foot or ankle pain that lasts longer than a week, make an appointment to come in and see the experts at Orthopedic Institute.
Not sure you need an appointment right now? Check out these everyday tips for fighting off foot and ankle pain.
Also Check: Central Texas Pediatric Orthopedics Cedar Park
Common Causes Of Top Of The Foot Or Ankle Pain
Experiencing pain across the top of your foot is pretty common. Of course, even if the pain is not the result of anything extremely serious, discomfort along the top of your foot or ankle is not something you should ignore. After all, even a minor injury or condition can have long-term implications, such as chronic pain or an additional injury, if not properly addressed.
The following are the seven most common reasons you might be experiencing this type of foot and/or causes of ankle pain:
Whats The Prognosis For People With Peroneal Tendonitis
Most people recover fully from this condition in about a month. Talk to your healthcare provider before getting back to full activities or your sport. Your recovery time from peroneal tendonitis will be longer if you have surgery. After surgery, you’ll wear a cast on your lower leg for four to six weeks. You might need crutches for the first few weeks, as well. Your provider can tell you when its safe to put weight on your ankle again. Most people need physical therapy after surgery to regain strength and stability in their ankle.
Read Also: Front Range Orthopedic Surgery Center
High Arches In Tight Shoes
If you know you have high arches, or your significant other complains that you stomp around the house like an elephant , your shoes may be the problem.
Having high arches can already cause a number of pains in the feet since the pressure is more heavily focused on the balls and heel of your foot, rather than moving evenly through your foot during each step. Shoes can add to the problem, as the standard shoe width may not be sufficient to comfortably accommodate the height of your arch. The result is pressure, rubbing and irritation on the top of your foot, which also makes you more vulnerable to tendonitis.
If you have high arches, opt for shoes that come in extra wide fittings to give yourself more room, and adjust your lacing techniques not so tight, and end the laces without using the last two eyelets.
Foot Pain Top 10 Causes
Aside from wearing ill-fitting shoes or footwear, there are many causes of foot pain. Overuse, injuries and arthritis are common causes. There may be damage to bones, nerves, tendons and ligaments. One in 5 Australians suffers from foot pain. If you have sore feet, read on to explore the most common causes of foot pain.
You May Like: Lvpg Orthopedics And Sports Medicine Muhlenberg
What Can I Do To Treat Pain On Top Of My Foot Near The Ankle
Walking, running and jumping all seem like activities of the past when youre living with ongoing pain on the top of your foot. Pain in this area can flare up whenever you put pressure on your foot and ankle or when you try to move it.
There are a few different conditions that can cause pain on the top of your foot near the ankle, such as stress fractures. However, the most common reason people have pain in this area is due to a condition known as extensor tendinitis.