Top of Foot Pain

by Jeanette
(Louisiana)

I run/walk about 2-3x's weekly, and presently have pain near my ankle but on the top front of my feet. It's not very painful. But sometimes when I run, I have pain there and I stop and start again. Is this from not running enough? Can you tell me what's the cure?

Answer by Dominique:


Hi Jeanette,
Thanks for your running injury question. Good to hear you are "easing into" running with a run/walk program.

Pain on the top of the foot can indicate several injuries. It might be a stress fracture, although this does not sound likely as I think the pain would be more constant and more severe. Try to touch the painful spot. If you scream out in pain it might be a stress fracture after all... :)

If it is a stress fracture, go see a podiatrist.

It could also be a bone spur. That happens when pressure has been applied to a bone sufficient to make it grow a little in the wrong way. You will see a bit of a lump on your foot in this case. Initially try to ease the pressure either by making your shoe laces less tight or putting some protection on the bone spur.

It may also be a little bit more innocent. Maybe your shoe laces are simply too tight and that's what's causing the incidental pain due to less blood flow and increased pressure on the top of the foot.

It might also be that the type of running shoes you have do not match your foot type. This is, as you start running more, an issue. I would definitely advise you to go to a specialist running shoe store and check out whether you have the right running shoes.

Whatever it is, it is very unlikely that this is caused by not running enough. The only issues I experience or see around me with people not running enough is just general muscle soreness.

Try to find out what the reason is behind the top of foot pain and take steps to remediate. If problems persist, go to a podiatrist to get a proper diagnosis.


Best of luck.
Kind regards,
Dominique