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The response to the question below was authored by Marc Mitnick DPM

Pain in the top of my foot

by Melissa

I cannot remember any trauma to my foot, but the top of my foot has been paining for about a week now. It has gotten worse too. Whenever I bend my foot in a certain may it hurts more (especially when I turn my toes up or when I walk). Lately, there even seems to be some pain in one area of my foot arch. The pain on the top of my foot is not easily stimulated when I touch my foot. Just when it moves. There is no redness or swelling apparent to me.

Please let me know what you think. I am wondering if I should immediately see someone about this, or should it get better on it's own.
Thank you.

Hi Melissa,
My first thought would be tendonitis which can occur without any history of trauma.
You can try warm soaks and anti-inflammatory medication (assuming you can tolerate it) for about a week. Try and avoid excessive activity and perhaps a rigid sole shoe would be helpful. Give it a week; if it does not improve appreciably , see a podiatrist.
Marc Mitnick DPM

Comments for Pain in the top of my foot

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Dec 27, 2015
Rating
starstarstar 		Unexplained pain on top of foot
by: Anonymous

Have any of you been tested for adult onset hypophosphatasia? It's a rare bone genetic order that's not taught in medical school. A basic metabolic blood test can find it. Most doctors don't know to look for it. It's low alkaline phosphate coupled with higher levels of vitamin B6 in your blood test. Most doctors look for high ALP and low ALP is so rare, even a good doctor can miss it. When it hits you in adulthood you experience pain many of you are describing and sometimes it's because you have stress fractures in your feet that you aren't aware of. Because there's a missing enzyme needed for bone formation that HPP people are missing, they can become prone to stress fractures in adulthood. You can carry the gene ALPL and not ever have symptoms because it hasn't expressed itself. Then when and if it does, it can be in adulthood. Again, I'd be surprised if any of your physicians know about it. I'd get a MRI and see what's going on. It's not in your head. Also a simple blood test detects it. Maybe 1 out 300-400 carry the gene. It's been studied in infants because it's almost always life threatening. But there's few if any studies for adults. Be your own patient advocate and find out what's wrong and why. I'm just throwing this out there. I'm not a doctor, but I was recently diagnosed because a very smart educated rheumatologist knew what to rule out.
Aug 24, 2013
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Foot pain
by: Anonymous

I too have planter mostly my left foot. I golf a lot and at my own course, I walk carrying my bag. Over the last 3 days I started to experience top of my left foot pain. My golf shoes seem to keep my planter under control. I hope I can find a solution for my foot as I am retired and really enjoy my golf. I also periodically get different forms of pain In both feet but they come and go.

Alan
Jan 31, 2012
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Pain, redness & slightly swollen
by: Anonymous

I have pain in just one foot, right on top near the veins. It is worse when I am on my feet all day. Then when I sit it still aches and I have a hard time when I get up. It is also slightly red and puffy.
Oct 04, 2011
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Foot pain
by: Ang74

Oh my gosh. I have the same thing. In the last few weeks, I have been waking up to bad foot pain in both, but prodominately my right foot. It doesn't hurt while at rest and it stops hurting almost completely if I walk around on it. It seems to be the most painfull after long periods of not walking on it. I can't figure this out for the life of me and it is very annoying.
May 19, 2010
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Pain in the top of my foot
by: Anonymous

Hi, I too have pain on the top of my foot. I'm a group exercise instructor and a personal training.
The pain started with planter facitist, which I am struggling with right now, but the pain has now progress to the top of my left foot.
I keep icing my feet, wear "good" supported athletic shoes and have supports in my shoes.
The pain is constant.
Aug 07, 2009
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Pain in the top of right foot
by: April

I get more or less the same thing. Every morning when i wake up with excruciating pain in the top of my right foot. The pain comes and goes.I mostly only feel it in the morning. It never hurts when im sitting. Even if i sit down and rub my foot it feels as if the pain was never there until i stand. It hurts alot when i stand and walk and move my toes but as the day progresses it use to stop now i been noticing the proceeds through-out the day. The pain is also getting worse. Im only 16, im no athlete, i should have no problems like this what so ever.

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ADDITIONAL REFERENCES

Mayo Clinic

Johns Hopkins Medicine

MedlinePlus

Arthritis Foundation

University of Rochester Medical Center

Harvard Health

Drugs.com

American Academy of Pediatrics

Penn State Medical Center

National Institutes of Health

Columbia University Department of Rehabilitation

ScienceDirect

Stanford Health Care

Illinois Bone and Joint Institute

Mount Sinai Hospital

Institute for Chronic Pain

University of Florida Health

American Family Physician

Cedars-Sinai

University of Maryland Medical Center
If you happen to live in the New York - New Jersey area and would like to visit our office

Dr. Marc Mitnick

151 Summit Ave.
Summit, NJ 07901
908-522-0761


To make an appointment online or for directions to our office click Dr. Marc Mitnick.

DISCLAIMER: The purpose of this site is purely informational in nature. It is not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any medical condition. This information is not a substitute for advice from a medical professional. Please consult your healthcare provider for accurate diagnosis and treatment. The information presented here may be subject to errors and omissions.


SITE LAST UPDATED: July 2026




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Orthotics for multiple types of foot pain
best buy in a pre-made orthotic
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Orthotics for heel and arch pain for those who must wear dress shoes
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(location unknown)
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(location unknown)
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(location unknown)
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UK

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Unknown

Unknown location

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Unknown location

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Anonymous



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New Zealand

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Sincerely

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Arizona
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Thanks, Kathy

Florida
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Poland
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M P

South Carolina
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unknown location


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Arlington, VA


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San Clemente, CA


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Pam

location unknown


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location unknown


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Bre

location unknown


Dr. Mitnick, Thank you so much for your reply. I did let my physician know and they took an x-ray - all is well! Also, thank you for providing this wonderful site, it is very helpful with lots of useful information! I appreciate your gift of time! God bless.

anonymous



Dr. Mitnick, Thank you, you were 100% correct. The pain finally brought me to the ER. I spent 8 days in the hospital. The Doppler you spoke of was able to show that there was no pulse in that foot. This was an arterial clot that split and traveled throughout my leg. My leg was almost amputated. I am in rough shape but have all my parts intact!! You certainly know what you are talking about. Thank you for taking the time to answer. Yours Truly!

anonymous



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Anna

Poland



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Seattle, WA


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Bonnie

location unknown



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Bill

New Jersey



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Debbie

location unknown



Wow, that is exactly the information needed!!! thank you thank you thank you!!! I appreciate this help so very much from Marc Mitnick DPM. Excellent information and help to improve One's life.

Chrissy

location unknown



Thanks so much for this website Dr. Marc! It is so nice that you have this ask the doctor feature..I'm sure I'ts been helpful for alot of people. I will try what you suggested and see if it helps...thanks again!

Tracy

Evansville, IA



Dear Marc

I just want to say thank you for the quick response and the good info. I find it amazing and a super nice thing that you do here by answering medical questions at no charge.

Russ W.

location unknown



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-Sunny.

location unknown



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Jackie

San Diego, CA



Dr. Mitnick, Just want to say thank you so very much for your quick response and very informative reply! After reading what you had to say, I called the doctor's office and was able to get in and see him the same day as my injury. Toe was x-rayed and luckily, it is not broken or fractured. Very badly bruised and will probably lose the toe nail. And although my toe and toe nail are still very black and blue and very sore, they ARE both starting to feel a little better. So again, thank you! I am so very happy that I came across your website. The service you provide is outstanding and immeasurable!

Rivi,

Albany, NY



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Jill S.

location unknown



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Jackie

Whichita, KS



thanks again, this site is very helpful.

mark

Boston, MA



Like others have stated...This site is amazing and I am so thankful that it was created.

....Keep up what your doing. Your a life saver.

Michelle

Colorado



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annielou

Colorado

Wonderful advice

by: Anonymous

This is the best site for foot problem info.

Thank you for this information. This description fits my pain and inflammation behind my 2nd toe perfectly.

by: Max

location unknown
Again, I really appreciate that you responded to my inquiry, and that your mention of Parkinson's helped me to find my way to a diagnosis of this difficult to diagnose disease. Most patients see on average 16 doctors before they are diagnosed. I hope that you can help other people that ask for your expertise in the future.

Barb D.

Canada
I just wanted to say that I am very greatful for this website!! I have had a fusion in my rt foot and am finally getting a little bit better......

Bonnie

location unknown
Again, Thank you from the bottom of my heart for taking the time to answer my question....your an angel!

Nancie

Wisconsin
Thank you for your response. You have provided some great insight (to my question)....

Julie

location unknown
Thank-you so very much for responding so quickly and in such detail to my question!! I will give my surgeon a call today!! This website is terrific!!!! Thank-you again!

Renae

North Carolina
Many Thanks Dr Marc!
Thank you for your response. It sounds like a good plan to me. He did not cut the wart out first ...

KG

location unknown

Thanks again doc for having this website and we STILL need qualified Podiatrists in beautiful sunny Tampa Bay (Bradenton) Florida.

Bessie Mae

Florida
Dear Dr. Mitnick, Thank you so very much for taking your time to answer my question. You have greatly relieved my anxiety related to the continual tingly I feel in my feet. I will share your response with my podiatrist next week. God bless you for having this question and answer page on your website! Most gratefully,

Lynne T.

location unknown
Your webpage is excellent, I commend you on sharing your knowledge to the public.

Robert

New Jersey


Thank you. you were more detailed than what others have told me they finally called from the last xrays and my son is now in a cast for 2 weeks he did have a fracture that was not noticeable.

a mom

location unknown


I have read your website and I have to admit that I am amazed at all the information that is on here. I have learned more than the three years I have been going to several doctors that I have seen!!

Melody

Lenoir, NC


Thank you so much Doc for a quick and thorough response!

Rustam

Bellevue, WA


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Jodi

location unknown

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