Pain in the top of the foot
Follow the advice on this page and see a GP if the pain does not get better in 2 weeks.
Foot, leg, and ankle swelling
Painless swelling of the feet and ankles is a common problem, especially among older people. Abnormal buildup of fluid in the ankles, feet, and legs can cause swelling. This fluid buildup and swelling is called edema.
The abnormal buildup of fluid in the body is called edema. Edema is commonly seen in the feet and ankles, because of the effect of gravity, swelling is particularly noticeable in these locations. Common causes of edema are prolonged standing, prolonged sitting, pregnancy, being overweight, and increase in age.
Painless swelling of the feet and ankles is a common problem, particularly in older people. Most of the time swelling can be relieved by elevating the legs above the heart while lying down and avoiding sitting or standing without moving for prolonged periods of time. Although swelling of the feet and ankles can be a minor problem, it can also be an indication of more serious illnesses such as heart failure, renal failure, or liver failure.
Considerations
Painless swelling may affect both legs and may include the calves or even the thighs. The effect of gravity makes the swelling most noticeable in the lower part of your body.
Causes
- Is overweight
- Has a blood clot in the leg
- Is older
- Has a leg infection
- Has veins in the legs that cannot properly pump blood back to the heart (called venous insufficiency, most often due to varicose veins)
Injury or surgery involving the leg, ankle, or foot can also cause swelling. Swelling may also occur after pelvic surgery, especially for cancer.
Long airplane flights or car rides, as well as standing for long periods of time, often lead to some swelling in the feet and ankles.
Swelling may occur in women who take estrogen, or during parts of the menstrual cycle. Most women have some swelling during pregnancy. More severe swelling during pregnancy may be a sign of preeclampsia, a serious condition that includes high blood pressure and significant swelling.
Swollen legs may be a sign of heart failure, kidney failure, or liver failure. In these conditions, there is too much fluid in the body, and it collects in the legs.
Certain medicines may also cause your legs to swell. Some of these are:
- Antidepressants, including MAO inhibitors and tricyclics
- Blood pressure medicines called calcium channel blockers
- Hormones, such as estrogen (in birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy) and testosterone
- Steroids
Home Care
Some tips that may help reduce swelling:
- Put your legs on pillows to raise them above your heart while lying down.
- Exercise your legs. This helps pump fluid from your legs back to your heart.
- Follow a low-salt diet, which may reduce fluid buildup and swelling.
- Wear support stockings (sold at most drugstores and medical supply stores).
- When traveling, take breaks often to stand up and move around.
- Avoid wearing tight clothing or garters around your thighs.
- Lose weight if you need to.
Never stop taking any medicines you think may be causing swelling without first talking to your health care provider.
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Call 911 or the local emergency number if:
- You feel short of breath.
- You have chest pain, especially if it feels like pressure or tightness.
Contact your provider right away if:
- You have heart disease or kidney disease and the swelling gets worse.
- You have a history of liver disease and now have swelling in your legs or abdomen.
- Your swollen foot or leg is red or warm to the touch.
- You have a fever.
- You are pregnant and have more than just mild swelling or have a sudden increase in swelling.
- You have new or worsened swelling in only one leg.
Also contact your provider if self-care measures do not help or swelling gets worse.
What to Expect at Your Office Visit
Your provider will take a medical history and do a thorough physical examination, paying special attention to your heart, lungs, abdomen, lymph nodes, legs, and feet.
Your provider will ask questions such as:
- What body parts swell? Your ankles, feet, legs? Above the knee or below?
- Do you have swelling at all times or is it worse in the morning or evening?
- What makes your swelling better?
- What makes your swelling worse?
- Does the swelling get better when you raise your legs?
- Have you had blood clots in your legs or lungs?
- Have you had varicose veins?
- What other symptoms do you have?
Diagnostic tests that may be done include:
- Blood tests, such as a complete blood count (CBC) or blood chemistry
- Chest x-ray or extremity x-ray
- Doppler ultrasound examination of your leg veins
- Electrocardiogram (ECG)
- Urinalysis
Your treatment will focus on the cause of the swelling. Your provider may prescribe diuretics to reduce the swelling, but these can have side effects. Home treatment for leg swelling that is not related to a serious medical condition should be tried before drug therapy.
References
Magee DJ, Manske RC. Lower leg, ankle, and foot. Magee DJ, Manske RC, eds. Orthopedic Physical Assessment. 7th ed. St Louis MO: Elsevier; 2021:chap 13.
Quick CRG, Biers SM, Arulampalam THA. Pathophysiology, clinical features and diagnosis of vascular disease affecting the limbs. In: Quick CRG, Biers SM, Arulampalam THA, eds. Essential Surgery: Problems, Diagnosis and Management. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 40.
Seller RH, Symons AB. Swelling of the legs. In: Seller RH, Symons AB, eds. Differential Diagnosis of Common Complaints. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018:chap 31.
Version Info
Last reviewed on: 6/20/2023
Reviewed by: Jacob Berman, MD, MPH, Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Pain in the top of the foot
If you see a GP about pain in the top of your foot, they may suggest you try these things:
Don’t
A pharmacist can help with foot pain
You can ask a pharmacist about:
- the best painkiller to take
- insoles and pads for your shoes
- if you need to see a GP
Video: an exercise to reduce pain in the top of the foot
This video shows an exercise that can help with pain in the top of foot.
Media last reviewed: 17 April 2022
Media review due: 17 April 2025
See exercise video safety information
The exercises in this series of videos are suitable for most people in good health with a reasonable level of fitness.
Unless stated otherwise, they are general exercises only and are not aimed at treating any specific cause of pain or condition. Video titles and descriptions can give more information on how difficult the exercises are and who they are for.
Get advice from a healthcare professional before trying them if:
- you are not sure if the exercises are suitable for your current level of fitness
- you have a health problem, an injury, any symptoms, are feeling unwell, or you have had a recent health event such as a heart attack or operation
- you have any other concerns about your health
- you are pregnant or have recently given birth
Stop the exercise immediately if you feel any pain or become unwell. If you are concerned about any symptoms, or they do not go away, get help from 111 online or call 111 for advice.
Non-urgent advice: See a 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
Immediate action required: Go to an urgent treatment centre or A&E if:
- you have severe pain in the top 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 pain
These might be signs of a broken bone after an injury.
What we mean by 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
- always there
- makes it hard to concentrate or sleep
- you can manage to get up, wash or dress
- comes and goes
- is annoying but does not stop you doing daily activities
Common causes of pain in the top of the foot
Pain in the top of your foot is often caused by exercising, especially if it involves running, kicking or jumping.
It may also be caused by wearing shoes that are too tight and some conditions, like gout.
Your symptoms might give you an idea of what’s causing your pain. Do not self-diagnose – see a GP if you’re worried.
| Symptoms | Possible cause |
|---|---|
| Pain, swelling, bruising, started after intense or repetitive exercise | Sprain or strain |
| Pain, swelling and stiffness that lasts a long time, a grating or crackling sensation when you move the foot, a lump along a tendon | Tendonitis or osteoarthritis |
| Red, hot, swollen skin, sudden or severe pain when anything touches your foot, pain usually starts near the bottom of the big toe | Gout |
If you’re not sure what’s causing pain in the top of the foot
Do not worry if you’re not sure what the problem is.
Follow the advice on this page and see a GP if the pain does not get better in 2 weeks.
Information:
Self-refer for treatment
If you have pain in the top of your foot, you might be able to refer yourself directly to services for help with your condition without seeing a GP.
To find out if there are any services in your area:
- ask the reception staff at your GP surgery
- check your GP surgery’s website
- contact your integrated care board (ICB) – find your local ICB
- search online for NHS treatment for foot pain near you
More in Foot pain
Page last reviewed: 15 February 2022
Next review due: 15 February 2025
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