Pain on top of your foot near the ankle: Causes and PT treatments

Walking, running and jumping all seem like activities of the past when you’re 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.

Common foot pain causes

Extensor tendinitis is often caused by frequently wearing tight-fitting shoes. Wearing shoes that fit too tightly puts pressure on the tendons running along the top of your foot, which causes painful inflammation.

There are other issues that may be causing the foot pain you’re feeling, too. Here’s a list of some common causes of foot pain:

• Achilles tendon rupture — An Achilles tendon rupture often occurs during recreational sports. It occurs when the Achilles tendon is overstretched and tears. Symptoms include pain near the heel, an inability to bend the foot forward and an inability to stand on the toes.
• Bone spurs — A bone spur is a tiny pointed outgrowth of bone, which can occur in the foot. Bone spurs can be caused by arthritis and tendinitis. They are common around the heel bone of the foot and can cause foot pain, numbness and tenderness.
• Bursitis — Bursitis can affect the foot and ankle joints. The fluid-filled cushions that protect the joints become irritated and inflamed and decrease the foot’s ability to absorb shock. The joints also cannot move smoothly. There may be pain in the heel of the foot, the ball of the foot or the base of the big toe joint. Bursitis in the foot can be due to aging, sports injury, or a sudden twist of the foot or ankle.
• Flat feet — People with flat feet don’t have much of a foot arch. Symptoms include pain, achiness in the feet or difficulty standing on the toes. Flat feet may be congenital or due to a fractured foot or torn ligament in the foot. 
• Achilles tendinitis —Achilles tendinitis is an overuse injury of the Achilles tendon. It’s associated with those who play tennis and basketball or with runners. Pain is often felt above the heel. There may also be tenderness or stiffness.
• Foot fracture —A foot fracture is the most common broken bone. That’s because the feet are your standing platform and are responsible for getting you around. Typically, there is pain, inflammation and bruising with a foot fracture.

How can the pain on the top of your foot near the ankle be diagnosed?

Pain on the top of your foot near the ankle can usually be diagnosed by a physical therapist. Depending on your description of your symptoms, they may use different testing methods to determine a diagnosis in the clinic. Obtaining a formal diagnosis makes it easier to get the right physical therapy treatment for your condition.

Ready to start physical therapy for your foot pain?

Not all foot injuries or conditions are treated just at the site of foot pain by a physical therapist. A skilled physical therapist will identify the root cause of the pain and provide a treatment plan that treats the whole body as a movement system. A physical therapist does a thorough evaluation, including an in-depth gait analysis. An individualized treatment plan is developed, which targets the injury. For example, for an Achilles injury, physical therapy will include stretching and strengthening of the Achilles tendon along with the quadriceps.

What are some passive physical therapy modalities for foot pain?

Passive physical therapy modalities used to treat your foot pain may include:

• Soft-tissue manipulation.
• Flexibility and mobility development.
• Strength training.

All of these methods are designed to reduce inflammation, reduce pain and improve mobility. Overall, medical research has shown physical therapy to be a multifaceted, effective treatment with positive long-term outcomes for patients with foot pain.

Advent Physical Therapy can help treat pain on the top of your foot near the ankle

Are foot and ankle pain keeping you off your feet and preventing you from doing what you love? Our physical therapists at Advent Physical Therapy are here to help with a personalized treatment for you. Contact our team today for more information about treating pain on top of your foot near the ankle or to schedule an initial appointment.