Introduction
The term pain on the instep refers to pain that can occur at various points on the foot. The back of the foot is particularly affected. Different causes can be the triggers for the complaints. Furthermore, different structures such as bones, ligaments, tendons or muscles can also be affected.
Symptoms
Pain on the instep describes pain on the back of the foot. They can vary greatly depending on the cause. The pain can be acute or permanent (chronic).
Some patients complain of pain at rest and some only when under stress. This also depends on the cause. It is not uncommon for the pain to spread over the entire foot and it is difficult for the patient to determine exactly where the pain comes from.
In the case of an inflammation, which can develop on the back of the foot at the toe tendon extensors, overheating, redness and swelling can occur in addition to the pain. Depending on the cause, the joints and toes can also be affected, making it difficult for the patient to put weight on the foot. If the complaints persist for a longer time, the patient should consult a doctor for clarification.
Causes
Pain in the back of the foot can be triggered in any form and by various causes. The most common cause is the injury. It can happen during sports activities or even accidents.
Various bones, tendons and ligaments of the foot can be injured, which then cause the pain. This can also cause bone fractures or injuries to the tendons, such as the Achilles tendon. The pain can then radiate to the back of the foot.
Another cause can be an inflammation in one or more joints of the foot. The trigger can be an inflammatory disease like rheumatoid arthritis, in which the immune system attacks the body’s own structures. As a result, painful inflammatory reactions are usually caused symmetrically throughout the body, including the feet.
Acute inflammatory reactions can be caused by wounds directly on the foot but also by carry-over via the blood from other parts of the body. This means that bacteria can enter the foot during an operation, which eventually multiply and lead to severe inflammation. A similar symptomatology occurs with the metabolic disease gout.
Here, too much uric acid is present in the blood, which is then deposited as urate crystals in the joints. In addition to pain, there is also swelling and limited mobility. This can also lead to an acute attack of gout in the foot at times.
Pain in the foot can also occur at a later age due to congenital deformities such as flat feet or splayfeet. The load is distributed unevenly, which leads to the formation of overloaded pressure points on the foot, which ultimately cause pain, especially when walking. Also knock-knees and bow legs result in an incorrect foot position and incorrect weight bearing.
Last but not least, this also provokes wear and tear on heavily used and incorrectly loaded joint surfaces. In the further course of the disease, arthrosis in particular can be promoted. Frequent wearing of uncomfortable and particularly high shoes can also put considerable strain on the foot and lead to pain on the instep. A skin rash on the back of the foot can also cause pain.
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