You have indicated that you have a top of foot pain

Below are some specific descriptions of symptoms related to a running top of foot injury or top of foot pain.

Decide which description most closely matches the top of foot problem you are experiencing then click on
the button next to it. You will be presented with a likely diagnosis for your top of foot injury and advice as to
what to do.

You can diagnose other running injuries here.

  • Step 1
  • Step 2
  • Step 3 - current step
  • Step 4

Click on the description that most closely matches your symptoms:

Symptom 1

Select symptom
  • A gradual onset of pain somewhere along the second and sometimes third long bone of the foot.
  • The pain slowly increases during your run, reaching a peak at the end of your run.
  • On successive runs the pain comes on at an earlier stage and becomes severe sooner, eventually forcing you to finish your run early.
  • There is a very focal tenderness on the bone.
  • A local swelling is often present.
  • X-ray will often not show the fracture until two or three weeks after it has started to heal.
  • This is an overuse injury, which may have come on because of a large increase in training intensity, but often because of an ankle, knee or hip imbalance.

Symptom 2

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  • A poorly localized ache in the midfoot, particularly under the inside arch.
  • Worsened or brought on by running.
  • Pain goes away quickly with rest only to return again during exercise.
  • Tenderness over the navicular bone (at the highest point of the inside arch of the foot).
  • A navicular sprain can be caused by a change in training methods or running terrain, particularly hill running, overuse, significant flat foot, or running in shoes that are not supportive enough against excessive pronation (rolling in of the heel).

Symptom 3

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  • Pain on the outside of the foot.
  • Pain is worse when weight bearing.
  • You may feel weakness pushing off with the toes when walking (can be very difficult to walk).
  • The pain can also radiate to the front of the ankle joint, under the inside arch of the foot, or along the length of the bone leading to the fourth toe.
  • Cuboid dysfunction can be caused by an ankle sprain or other foot injury, by sprinting or running uphill, and is often associated with significant flat foot.

Symptom 4

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  • Pain and swelling on the topside of the foot, which is normally worse during running.
  • Pain when you forcibly point your toes and assist the movement further with your hand.
  • Pain when you try to resist against your toes being pushed into a pointed position.
  • Hill running can be particularly bad.
  • Extensor tendinitis can be caused by badly fitting shoes or shoes that are laced too tight causing pressure on the top of the foot, and a change in training methods or running terrain, particularly hill running.