What is Extensor Tendonitis in the foot, its symptoms and causes, and how is it commonly treated?

Extensor tendonitis happens when the tendons on the top of your foot and ankle get irritated or inflamed. These tendons help lift your foot and toes. The main symptom is a dull, aching pain on top of your foot that gets worse with activity like running or wearing tight shoes, especially if your laces are tied too tightly. Because these tendons have little padding, they can get easily irritated. It often happens from overuse, like suddenly increasing your activity, running uphill, or wearing shoes that don’t fit well. Tight calf muscles or foot structure issues like flat feet or high arches can make it worse. Treatment usually starts with rest, ice, compression, and elevation. Loosening your shoelaces or changing how you lace your shoes can help right away. For longer-term relief, custom orthotics can provide the support your feet need to reduce strain on the tendons and prevent the pain from coming back. Upstep can create custom orthotics made just for your feet and deliver them right to your door, no specialist visit required. If the pain is very bad or you can’t put weight on your foot, it’s best to see a doctor to make sure it’s not a stress fracture.