Dorsal Foot Pain
Dorsal Foot Pain: There are 3 major causes of dorsal foot pain – dorsal compression syndrome, neuritis and a dorsal exostosis.
Most Common Causes Of Dorsal Foot Pain:
1) Dorsal Compression Syndrome:
- Dorsal compression syndrome occurs when there is too much stress on the ball of your foot.
- This is like sitting on a bench.
- It compresses at the top.
- This compression appears as dorsal bone pain & inflammation.
- It stretches at the bottom.
- This stretching and tension appears as plantar fasciitis.
- Dorsal compression syndrome is usually due to a hypermobile foot.
- This could be due to flat foot or tight plantar fascia & calf muscles.

2) Top Of Foot Numbness Or Tingling:
- The top of foot tingling is usually due to a nerve irritation.
- This presents as numbness, burning, tingling and a sharp pain.
- This is not a deep aching or throbbing type pain.
- Nerve pain can take many days or weeks to heal.
- The longer the nerve stays compressed or irritated, the longer it will take!
- So make sure nothing is irritating or impinging the dorsal foot.

3)Top Of The Foot Bone Spur:
- A bone spur on top of the foot forms due to abnormal friction and stress on the bone.
- This is like forming a callus on your fingers.
- If there is overuse, your bone will re-inforce itself and make it stronger.
- This is a result of dorsal compression syndrome.
- The midfoot bones jam dorsally.
- After years this leads to bone spur formation.
- This is called a metatarsal exostosis.

4) Extensor Tendonitis:
- The extensor tendons are responsbile for bending your toes up.
- They also help lift your toes off the ground during pushoff.
- These can become sore after a large amount of running.
- Treatment involves rest, ice, compression & elevation.