Intermittent Sharp Pain On Top Of Foot: Symptoms & Treatment

Foot pain is a common issue, and it can have a variety of causes. Foot pain can be a small annoyance, a severe and debilitating issue, or anywhere in between. In this article, you’ll learn more about intermittent sharp pain on the top of the foot, its possible causes, and what you can do at home to relieve sharp foot pain.

Symptoms Pain On Top Of The Foot

Pain on the top of the foot can feel differently depending on the underlying issue. Try to describe your pain. Is it a deep ache, a shooting pain, a tingling, a burning pain, or a dull soreness? Does it feel like nerve pain? Does it come and go, or is it constant? Do you get intermittent sharp pain on the top of your foot at night? Does wearing shoes make it better or worse? Each of these can be a symptom of foot issues.

What Causes Pain On Top Of The Foot

Exercise And Foot Pain

One of the common causes of foot pain is overuse injury. This kind of injury occurs when stress is repeatedly put on tissues such as tendons, joints, or bones. It is commonly associated with regular exercise^[1] such as running. You may be particularly prone to these kinds of injuries if you have preexisting issues such as flat feet, foot weakness, or wearing ill-fitting shoes.

Extensor tendonitis is a common type of overuse injury in the soft tissues. In this type of overuse injury, the tendons in the foot become inflamed, and further movement irritates them. Extensor tendonitis can be frustrating but does not cause^[2] long-term serious impacts on your overall health.

A stress fracture^[3] in one of the foot bones is another kind of overuse injury that can cause severe pain. In this type of injury, repetitive stress on the bones connecting the heels to the toes can cause the bone to break. You may also notice redness, swelling, warmth, and extreme tenderness to touch if you have this kind of injury.

To avoid overuse injuries, ramp up slowly when beginning a new exercise routine and give your body time to rest between sessions. Proper form while running is also critical; incorrect usage of your muscles and improper alignment are a recipe for an overuse injury.

Trauma To The Foot

Another cause of pain in the top of the foot is direct trauma to the area. This could include an accidental kick with a lot of force, a heavy object landing on the foot, or even a cut or laceration to the top of the foot. In this case, the amount of pain you feel and the extent of the damage to the foot will depend upon the type of injury you sustained.

If you experience an injury to your foot, a fracture or a broken bone^[4] is one possible outcome. It’s important to see your doctor if you experience pain following an injury that stops you from going about your usual daily activities.

Medical Conditions

Sometimes underlying medical conditions can be the cause of pain in the foot. If you experience intense pain in the joints of your toes, you may be experiencing gout. Gout is a buildup of uric acid crystals in a joint, which are generated during the breakdown^[5] of the compound purine. It is classically associated with eating a rich diet, but there are other risk factors as well, including diabetes, hypertension, congestive heart failure, and other chronic conditions.

Another medical cause of foot pain is rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune condition^[6] in which your body attacks your joint tissue, causing inflammatory arthritis. The pain associated with rheumatoid arthritis usually occurs on both sides rather than one at a time. If you’re experiencing severe pain in both sides of your feet, let your doctor know.

Cysts On The Top Of The Foot

Sometimes pain is accompanied by the presence of a lump on the top of the foot. One common cause for a sensitive lump on the top of the foot is something called a ganglion cyst. This is a benign type of growth filled with fluid that can arise in your joints. It’s not well-understood what causes ganglion cysts, although one theory is that microtraumas^[7] allow leakage of fluid out of the membrane or capsule of the joint^[8]. These cysts usually go away on their own without any treatment, but if they’re bothering you, there are treatments available to drain them.

How Is Intermittent Sharp Pain On Top Of Foot Diagnosed?

The only way to definitively diagnose the cause of your foot pain is by seeing a healthcare provider. Your practitioner will first take a thorough history of your foot pain since many causes of foot pain can be determined just by understanding the story behind it.

During your visit, your provider may use several different assessments to give you a diagnosis. They may ask you to move your foot in different ways, including by walking across the room, stretching, or flexing your foot. They may need to touch your foot in the spot where it hurts, to see if physical touch elicits the pain. In some cases, they will need to order imaging such as an ultrasound or x-ray for a look inside the tissues to help them diagnose the underlying cause.

Treatments For Intermittent Sharp Pain On Top Of Foot

R.I.C.E.

The acronym R.I.C.E. is often used to describe the protocol for a foot injury.

R stands for “rest” – stay off your foot as much as possible while it is healing. Pain is often your body’s way of asking for rest so that it can recover.

I stands for “ice,” which can reduce inflammation and swelling. You can apply ice for up to 10 minutes 3 times per day^[9]. Be sure to give your foot a rest in between icing sessions so that you can ensure good blood flow to the area.

C stands for “compression.” A clean bandage can be applied to the injury to prevent swelling. It’s important not to apply the bandage too tightly; it should be snug, but not tight enough to cause throbbing, tingling, or numbness on the other side of the bandage.

E stands for “elevation.” You should rest with your foot elevated to at least the level of the heart or higher. This encourages blood to return from the foot back to the heart, rather than accumulate at the site of your injury.

Medications To Help With Foot Pain

If you’d like to take something by mouth to reduce pain, you can take an NSAID such as ibuprofen, which can reduce inflammation. You can also try acetaminophen. If you’re pregnant, be sure to check with your midwife or doctor before beginning any new medication. And if you need to take these medications for more than one or two days, it’s time to make an appointment with your doctor.

Topical medications can also help with strained muscles and inflamed tendons. Some people like menthol-based topical ointments that provide a cooling sensation to warm, inflamed areas. Others get good results with CBD-based topicals, which you can learn more about here.

Exercises And Stretching

Gentle exercises and stretching can help you reduce foot pain. The best way to determine what exercises are best for you is by going to physical therapy and wearing supportive shoes. Be aware that doing too much of the wrong kind of stretching can set you back even further in your recovery.

In general, exercises for foot pain involve strengthening and stretching the many muscles that support the feet and reversing muscle tightness. They can range from flexion and extension of your big toe to calf stretching, to mild resistance training^[10] for the ankles. Each of these has unique benefits for relieving foot pain depending on the cause of the pain, so it’s important to consult with an expert before beginning your regimen.

Conclusion

Foot problems can be challenging, but it doesn’t have to rule your life. Take your recovery process slowly, consult with a doctor if you have prolonged or serious symptoms, and you’ll be back up on your feet soon!

Frequently Asked Questions

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