Top Of Foot Swollen

What Is Extensor Tendonitis in the Foot?

A tendon is a type of body tissue that connects muscle to bone. If a tendon becomes inflamed — painful and swollen — the condition is called tendonitis.

In your hands, there are so-called extensor tendons that connect the muscles to bones that allow you to move your fingers. In your feet, extensor tendons connect the muscles that help you raise your toes and flex your feet to your bones. If one of the extensor tendons in your foot becomes inflamed, you have a kind of unusual condition called extensor tendonitis.

The extensor tendons in your feet are called the extensor hallucis longus, extensor hallucis brevis, extensor digitorum longus, and tibialis anterior.

You’re at risk for this condition if you have a high instep. In contrast, if you land on the inner side of your foot when you walk, you’re also a prime candidate. If you are a runner, dancer, skier, or ice skater, you may be more likely to get extensor tendonitis due to the tightly laced footwear these activities call for.

Symptoms of Extensor Tendonitis in the Foot

The main symptom of extensor tendonitis in the foot is pain on the top of the foot. It is often right where your shoelaces are. You may feel this pain while you are running or walking.

Sometimes, there is visible swelling or a bump on the extensor tendon that is injured or inflamed.

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Diagnosis of Extensor Tendonitis in the Foot

Doctors may be able to diagnose tendonitis with only a physical exam and medical history. However, if your doctor is worried your pain could be caused by a different condition, they may order an X-ray or an MRI.

What Causes Extensor Tendonitis in the Foot?

Most cases of tendonitis are from repetitive motion and develop over time. However, they can also occur because of a sudden injury.

Extensor tendonitis, in particular, may be caused by:

• Shoes that are too small or tight
• Doing too many uphill workouts and not enough downhill ones
• Running on an unstable surface

How Can You Treat Tendonitis At Home?

You can treat some cases of extensor tendonitis at home. Rest the affected foot for two to three days. Use it as little as possible to give the tendons a break.

While you are resting your foot, put ice on it for 20 minutes every two or three hours.

Wrap an elastic bandage around the injured area to reduce inflammation, or use a brace. Make sure the bandage or brace is not too tight and take it off before you go to sleep.

Try loosening your shoelaces or trying different shoes to see if that helps. You can also add some padding under the tongue of your shoe before you return to activity.

How Do Doctors Treat Tendonitis?

If your home treatment doesn’t help your foot after two or three days, you should contact a doctor.

Your doctor may recommend over-the-counter or prescription-strength medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS). Aspirin and ibuprofen are among the most common ones. These are available as oral and topical medications. Your doctor may also want you to have a corticosteroid injection, a steroid shot, to reduce inflammation.

Your doctor may also recommend a platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatment. In this treatment, doctors take your own blood, take out the blood fragments known as platelets, and then inject the platelets into the affected area. Experts are still studying this treatment, but many agree that it shows promise for treating chronic tendon pain.

Physical therapy may help to strengthen your muscles and stretch your extensor tendons to reduce pain.

If you have tried the above treatments and you still have tendon pain, your doctor may recommend dry needling. During this procedure, a doctor inserts a needle into the tendon to stop further damage and promote healing.

If scar tissue is causing your tendonitis, an ultrasonic wave device can help remove scar tissue and ease your pain.

If you have severe tendonitis, and the tendon has started to pull away from the bone, surgery may be required.

How to Prevent Extensor Tendonitis

The following tips can help you prevent extensor tendonitis:

• Always do a warm-up and cool-down before and after exercise.
• Don’t forget to stretch.
• Build your workout gradually (start slow and lower intensity).
• Train the muscles you will be using in advance of activities and sports you know you will be doing.
• Learn the proper form for any exercises you do.
• Exercise regularly (more than one time per week).
• Listen to your body, especially if you are not accustomed to exercising.
• Wear shoes that fit properly.
• Pay extra attention to how your feet feel while exercising after switching to new shoes.
• Don’t delay more than a few days in contacting your doctor when experiencing foot pain.

Show Sources

AMSSM: “EXTENSOR TENDINOPATHY.”

BioMed Research International: “PRP Treatment Efficacy for Tendinopathy: A Review of Basic Science Studies.”

BSSH: “Extensor tendon injury.”

Current Reviews in Musculoskeletal Medicine: “Dry Needling as a Treatment Modality for Tendinopathy: a Narrative Review.”

Current Sports Medicine Reports: “Foot Injuries in Runners.”

MAYO CLINIC: “Tendinitis.”

Peh, W. C. G., ed., Pitfalls in Musculoskeletal Radiology, Springer, 2017.

University of Rochester Medical Center: “The Best Ways to Treat, Prevent Tendonitis.”

What Makes the Top of Your Foot to Swell?

Many things can make the top of your foot to swell. Standing too long or certain serious issues like heart or kidney disease can cause this condition.

The medical term for swelling in the feet and ankles is edema. So many things can cause edema. It may happen due to high blood pressure or you may have to deal with this situation during pregnancy. This usually happens when your body cannot fight gravity to move fluids and blood back up from your legs. This causes swelling in your feet, ankles, and even legs. Some people experience this when they stay in a standing position for extended period. Keep reading to learn more about this condition.

Causes of Swelling on Top of Foot

Edema can be of two types – pitting and non-pitting. If you press the swollen area for five seconds and the skin becomes indented, you have pitting edema. This dent won’t appear in non-pitting edema. The swelling is usually painless; if it’s accompanied by pain, please consult your doctor.

Most people experience swelling on top of their foot/ feet usually due to inflammation. This inflammation may be caused by infections. In this case, you will experience warmth, redness, and pain in the affected area. Repetitive injury from running with bad shoes may also cause inflammation and swelling on the foot.

Here’s explanation on major causes of swelling on top of foot:

1. Infection and Diabetes

Swelling in the feet and ankles is sometimes a sign of infection.You are at a greater risk if you already have diabetic neuropathy or other nerve problems. People with diabetes need to see their doctors immediately after noticing any sores and blisters on feet. They do not usually feel pain due to nerve damage.

2. Rheumatoid Arthritis

This long-term condition causes swelling, pain, and stiffness in the joints. You will notice your foot become stiff. The condition can be quite painful and affects other joints in your body as well.

3. Gout

It is characterized by severe attacks of redness, pain, and tenderness in joints. An attack of gout may occur suddenly, even when you are sleeping. The pain is usually so excruciating that it wakes you up in the middle of the night. It feels as if your big toe is on fire. Your affected joint will be hot to touch and tender. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and corticosteroids help relieve the pain. It is also important to make some lifestyle changes. For instance:

• Limit drinks sweetened with fructose
• Avoid alcoholic beverages
• Drink plenty of water
• Avoid food like organ meat, red meat, seafood, and other food high in purines
• Exercise regularly and maintain a healthy body weight

4. Blood Clot

If a blood clot develops in the veins of the legs, it will keep blood from moving back up to the heart. This will cause swelling in the feet and ankles. Blood clots can be life threatening if they block a major vein of the legs.

5. Venous Insufficiency

Swelling on top of foot and ankles may well be an early symptom of venous insufficiency, a condition in which blood fails to move adequately from feet to the heart. This usually happens when the one-way valves that keep blood flowing upward become damaged. The blood starts to leak back down the vessels and accumulates in the soft tissue of the lower legs.

6. Complications of Pregnancy

It is normal to experience some swelling of the feet and ankles during pregnancy, but sudden swelling may well be a sign of preeclampsia, a condition in which your blood pressure rises quickly. This will also release protein in the urine after you are 20 weeks pregnant.

7. Liver, Heart, or Kidney Disease

Swelling may indicate a problem with liver, hear, or kidney. If your ankles swell in the evening, this may be because your body retains salt and water. This may happen due to right-sided heart failure. Any problems with kidneys will keep them from functioning properly, which will lead to fluid buildup in the body. Liver disease may lower the levels of albumin in the blood that keeps it from leaking out of the blood vessels.

8. Thyroid Problems

Low thyroid levels will produce symptoms such as hair loss, fatigue, dry skin, etc. This may also cause swelling on top of your foot.

9. Lymphedema

In this condition, the tissues will accumulate lymphatic fluid mainly because there is some problem with lymph vessels or you have removed your lymph nodes. This usually happens after the removal lymph nodes in cancer patients.

10. Other Causes

In addition, you may experience swelling in your feet and ankles due to aging, PMS, menstruation, and obesity. Consuming too much alcohol and diet with too much of salt may also lead to swelling. Living in high altitudes or using medications such as anti-depressants, diabetes medicines, steroids, high-estrogen birth-control pills, and calcium channel blockers may also cause swelling in legs.

When to Worry

You should talk to your doctor if your swelling persists and you experience other symptoms such as fever, pain, warmth, and redness. Seek immediate medical help if your swelling has not responded to self-care measures. Talk to your obstetrician if you are pregnant and have developed swollen feet all of a sudden.

Take a test HERE to confirm if you need to worry about your swollen feet and ankles:

Swelling On Top of Foot: Finding Relief

Now, you know that so many things can make the top of foot to swell, so it is important to identify the root cause of trouble to select the most appropriate treatment. Taking the following steps will help reduce swelling and pain:

• Keep your legs elevated above heart level for 15 minutes, 3-4 times a day
• Take anti-inflammatory medication and limit mobility for some time
• Use leg wedges when sleeping
• Wear proper footwear and use support socks
• Drink plenty of water and limit your salt intake
• Do not stand for extended period
• Do not overuse drugs or laxatives

Taking these steps will help prevent swollen feet. Also, keep an eye on what causes your feet to swell. If a certain activity leads to swelling, you may want to avoid it as much as possible. Simple lifestyle changes will go a long way in resolving the issue.

Why are my feet swollen?

A person might experience swollen feet for a number of reasons. Some causes, such as minor injury, are apparent and easy to treat. Others, however, may be signs of a serious underlying health condition that needs prompt medical attention.

Here, we take a look at some of the reasons why a person’s feet may appear swollen, when they should talk to a doctor, and what the treatment might involve.

Edema is the medical term for swelling that occurs when fluid becomes trapped in the body’s tissues. It usually affects the legs and feet but can also occur in other parts of the body, such as the face or abdomen.

Other signs of edema include:

• shiny, stretched skin over the affected area
• skin that stays dimpled after pressing it
• discomfort and reduced mobility
• coughing or difficulty breathing, if it affects the lungs

Treatment

Edema may go away by itself, or there may be an underlying cause that needs medical treatment.

Home remedies include wearing support stockings, reducing salt intake, and lying down while raising the legs above the chest.

If the swelling does not improve, a person should talk to their doctor to check for any underlying causes.

Trauma to the foot or ankle can cause swelling in this area of the body.

For example, a sprained ankle, which occurs when the ligaments become overstretched, could cause the foot to swell.

Treatment

To treat a foot or ankle injury, a person should elevate the foot when possible and try not to bear weight on the affected leg.

Using an ice pack or compression bandage can help reduce swelling, and over-the-counter pain relievers can help ease discomfort.

If the swelling and pain do not go away, a person might need to see their doctor to rule out more severe damage.

A common symptom of late pregnancy is for the feet and ankles to swell. This swelling is due to fluid retention and increased pressure on the veins.

Home remedies

To treat swollen feet during pregnancy, women can elevate their feet where possible, wear comfortable and supportive footwear, and avoid standing for extended periods.

Staying cool, avoiding salt, and increasing water intake can help reduce fluid retention. Wearing supportive clothing, such as tights or compression stockings, should also reduce discomfort and help the swelling decrease.

If swelling during pregnancy comes on suddenly and is severe, it could be a sign of preeclampsia. This is a condition that can occur during pregnancy or immediately after the birth. Symptoms include protein in the urine, rapid excessive fluid retention, and high blood pressure.

This is a severe condition that usually occurs in the latter half of pregnancy and can progress to eclampsia, which is even more dangerous and constitutes a medical emergency.

Signs of preeclampsia include:

• severe swelling
• headaches
• dizziness
• nausea and vomiting
• vision changes
• less frequent urination

Treatment

If a pregnant woman experiences any of these symptoms, she should speak with her doctor or midwife straight away.

Some lifestyle factors can also lead to swollen feet. These factors include:

• having a sedentary lifestyle
• being overweight
• wearing ill-fitting shoes

Home remedies

Exercising regularly and maintaining a healthy weight can reduce the risk of swollen feet.

Other ways to alleviate swollen feet include:

• drinking plenty of water
• wearing compression socks or stockings
• soaking the feet in cool water
• raising the feet above the heart regularly
• staying active
• losing weight if overweight
• eating a healthful diet and being mindful of salt intake
• massaging the feet
• eating more potassium-rich foods, as these can help reduce water retention

Share on Pinterest Steroids can cause swelling in the feet.

Taking certain medications can result in the feet swelling, especially if they cause water retention.

Medications that may cause the feet to swell include:

• hormones, such as estrogen and testosterone
• calcium-channel blockers that help control blood pressure
• steroids, both androgenic and anabolic, and corticosteroids
• antidepressants
• nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
• medication to help manage diabetes

Anyone who thinks that their medication is causing their feet to swell should speak with a doctor, who may be able to alter the dosage or prescribe a different type of medication.

Alcohol can cause the body to retain excess water, causing the feet to swell. If the swelling continues for more than 2 days, a person should make an appointment with their doctor.

Recurrent swelling of the feet after drinking alcohol may be a sign of an underlying issue with the heart, liver, or kidneys.

Home remedies

Elevating the feet above the heart, drinking plenty of water, and reducing salt intake may all help minimize swelling. Soaking the feet in cold water can also relieve symptoms.

During hot weather, the feet can swell because their veins expand to cool the body. This process can cause fluid to leak into the surrounding tissue. Fluid can also collect in the ankles and feet.

Home remedies

Drinking plenty of water and wearing well-fitting, comfortable shoes that allow some ventilation can help prevent the feet from swelling in warm weather.

An infection can cause swelling in the feet and ankles. People with diabetes have an increased risk of infection affecting their feet, so they should remain vigilant for any changes to this part of the body, such as blisters and sores appearing.

Treatment

A doctor will typically prescribe antibiotics to treat infections.

Venous insufficiency occurs when a person’s blood cannot flow around the body properly. This is due to damaged valves causing blood to leak down the vessels and fluid retention in the lower legs, particularly around the feet and ankles.

Signs of venous insufficiency include:

• achy legs
• skin changes, such as flaking
• new varicose veins appearing
• skin ulcers
• infection

Treatment

A person experiencing any signs of venous insufficiency should make an appointment with their doctor as soon as possible.

To treat venous insufficiency, a doctor may recommend making some lifestyle changes, such as taking up exercise to help keep the blood pumping around the body efficiently. Compression stockings and medication to prevent blood clots can also help.

In some cases, a doctor may suggest surgery to try to repair the damaged valves.

Blood clots occur when the blood fails to flow around the body correctly, causing platelets to stick together.

If blood clots develop in the leg veins, they may prevent the blood from moving back to the heart. This can cause the ankles and feet to swell.

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) occurs when blood clots form deep in the legs. DVT is a serious condition that can cause a blockage in the major leg veins. In some cases, the clots may break loose and move to the heart or lungs.

Signs of DVT include:

• swelling in one leg
• pain or discomfort in the leg
• low-grade fever
• color changes in the leg

Treatment

If a person notices any signs of DVT, they should seek urgent medical attention. A doctor may prescribe blood-thinning medication to treat blood clots.

People can help prevent blood clots by wearing tights, compression stockings, or clothing that is loose-fitting around the ankles.

Other prevention methods include keeping active and reducing salt intake. It is also best to avoid standing or sitting still, especially with crossed legs, for extended periods.

Share on Pinterest Treatments for lymphedema focus on draining excess fluid.

The lymphatic system helps the body get rid of unwanted substances, such as bacteria and toxins. Lymphedema occurs when lymphatic fluid gathers in the tissues as a result of problems with the lymph vessels.

If the lymph vessels are damaged or absent, lymphatic fluid can build up and lead to infection, slow wound healing, and even deformity.

People who undergo radiation therapy or lymph node removal have a higher risk of lymphedema. Anyone who has undergone cancer treatment and experiences swelling should contact their doctor immediately.

As well as swelling of the feet, signs of lymphedema include:

• recurrent infections
• impaired motion
• aching
• a feeling of tightness or heaviness
• thickening of the skin

Treatment

Treatment options for lymphedema include exercises and targeted massage, which can both help drain the excess fluid. Wearing bandages or compression garments may also be beneficial.

Swelling of the feet could be a sign of heart disease or heart failure. If the heart is damaged, it cannot pump blood to the heart efficiently.

Right-sided heart failure can cause the body to retain salt and water, resulting in swollen feet.

As well as swelling of the legs, ankles, and feet, symptoms of heart failure include:

• shortness of breath, particularly when exercising or lying down
• rapid heartbeat
• weakness
• fatigue
• coughing or wheezing
• white or pink, blood-tinged phlegm
• abdominal swelling
• rapid weight gain from fluid retention
• loss of appetite
• nausea or vomiting
• difficulty concentrating or confusion

Treatment

If a person experiences any of the above symptoms, they should seek immediate medical attention.

Treatment options for heart failure include medications, medical devices to help support the heart, and surgery.

People with poorly functioning kidneys may not be able to flush out fluid, which can build up in the body.

Kidney disease may not present any symptoms until it is severe and the kidneys are beginning to fail. Signs and symptoms of kidney failure include:

• less frequent urination
• shortness of breath
• drowsiness or fatigue
• pain or pressure in the chest
• seizures
• nausea
• confusion
• coma

Treatment

Treatment options for kidney disease include medication, a low-protein diet, and supplements of vitamin D and calcium.

The treatment options for kidney failure include dialysis or a kidney transplant.

Liver disease can inhibit the production of albumin. Albumin is a protein that helps stop the blood leaking from blood vessels. A lack of albumin means that the blood may leak, causing fluid to pool in the legs and feet, which can result in swelling.

Symptoms of liver disease include:

• jaundice, in which the skin and eyes turn yellow
• dark urine
• bruising easily
• loss of appetite
• skin itching
• lack of energy
• nausea or vomiting
• tender, swollen abdomen
• pale, bloody, or tar-colored stools

Treatment

To treat liver disease, a doctor may prescribe medication. They may also suggest making lifestyle changes, such as losing weight or reducing alcohol intake.

In more severe cases of liver disease, surgery may be necessary.

Many cases of swollen feet tend to resolve without medical care, although home remedies and lifestyle changes can help reduce the swelling.

If the swelling does not go away or it occurs repeatedly, it is essential to make an appointment with a doctor to determine whether there is an underlying cause.

If swollen feet occur alongside shortness of breath, chest pain, or pressure in the chest, call the emergency services immediately.

Last medically reviewed on January 29, 2020

• Dermatology
• Vascular
• Blood / Hematology
• Cardiovascular / Cardiology