If the top of your foot hurts because you have extensor tenosynovitis, it can cause a lot of pain. But the condition is not complicated.

The extensor tendons run down across the top of your foot. The extensor tendons continue all the way out to the toes. The function of the tendons is to pull your toes up when you swing through in the swing phase of gait, so you don't trip over your toes when you run.

If you start running and your shoelaces actually push on the tendons with just a tiny bit too much force, the tendon sheath surrounding the tendons can get irritated. With continued aggravation, you get inflammation within the tendon sheath. A big painful spot right on the top of your foot is the result. 

So, there's a simple way you can decrease the irritation of the tendon sheath when you have extensor tenosynovitis.

Today on the Doc On The Run Podcast, we're talking about how you can alter your running shoe lacing pattern if you have this condition called tenosynovitis.