What Causes Pain in the Instep of the Foot?
Pain in the instep or arch of the foot is often caused by plantar fasciitis and fallen arches, states WebMD.com. Instep pain can also be caused by fractures of the metatarsal bones.
Plantar fasciitis is a condition that can cause instep pain, because the tissue connecting the heel to the toes becomes inflamed, explains WebMD.com. Although plantar fasciitis can manifest in heel pain instead of arch pain, treatment options remain the same. Patients need to rest and stretch the foot, take over-the-counter medications to relieve pain and inflammation, and wear shoes with better arch support. Another common cause of instep pain are fallen arches. Although surgery is an option, it can be treated by using shoe inserts and icing the area.
Stress fractures to the bones located in the instep can also cause pain and are one of the most common areas for stress fractures in the feet, according to WebMD.com. These fractures are often a result of individuals who suddenly start exercising more vigorously or are involved in impact sports. Stress fractures can resolve themselves over the course of a few months as long as the feet are rested properly and iced regularly. An individual should only resume exercise after six-to-eight weeks if there is no more pain.
