Pain in the top of your foot will often get better in a few weeks. Contact your GP if it does not get better in 2 weeks.
How you can ease pain in the top of your foot
Your GP will usually suggest trying these things:
Do
-
rest and raise your foot when you can
-
put an ice pack (or bag of frozen peas) in a towel on the painful area for up to 20 minutes every 2 to 3 hours
-
wear wide comfortable shoes with a low heel and a supportive, cushioned sole
-
use soft insoles or pads you put in your shoes
-
try to lose weight if your doctor recommends it
-
try regular gentle stretching exercises
-
take paracetamol
Don't
-
do not take ibuprofen for the first 48 hours after an injury
-
do not wear high heels or tight pointy shoes
A pharmacist can help with foot pain
Ask your pharmacist about:
- the best painkiller to take
- insoles and pads for your shoes
- treatments for common skin and nail problems
- if you need to see a GP
When to contact your GP
Non-urgent advice: Contact your GP if:
- pain in the top of your foot is stopping you doing normal activities
- the pain is getting worse or keeps coming back
- the pain has not improved after treating it at home for 2 weeks
- you have any tingling or loss of sensation in your foot
- you have diabetes and a foot pain - foot problems can be more serious if you have diabetes
What we mean by severe pain
Severe pain:
- always there and so bad it's hard to think or talk
- you cannot sleep
- it's very hard to move, get out of bed, go to the bathroom, wash or dress
- you cannot work due to the pain
Moderate pain:
- always there
- makes it hard to concentrate or sleep
- you can manage to get up, wash or dress
Mild pain:
- comes and goes
- is annoying but does not stop you from doing things like going to work
When to go to the emergency department
Urgent advice: Go to your nearest injury unit or emergency department if:
- you have severe pain in the bottom of your foot
- you're not able to walk
- your foot has changed shape or is at an odd angle
- you heard a snap, grinding or popping noise at the time of injury
- you feel faint, dizzy or sick from the pain
These might be signs of a broken bone after an injury.
Causes of pain in the top of the foot
Common causes of pain in the top of your foot are exercising too much or wearing shoes that are too tight.
Your symptoms may help you find the cause of your foot pain.
| Symptoms | Possible cause |
|---|---|
| Symptoms Pain, swelling, bruising, started after intense or repetitive exercise | Possible cause sprain or strain |
| Symptoms Pain, swelling and stiffness that lasts a long time, a grating or crackling sensation when you move the foot, a lump along a tendon | Possible cause tendonitis or osteoarthritis |
| Symptoms Red, hot, swollen skin, sudden or severe pain when anything touches your foot, the pain usually starts near the bottom of the big toe | Possible cause gout |