Midfoot osteoarthritis is the wearing away of cartilage in the joints of the middle of the foot. This area consists of several small bones that form the arch, including the cuneiform, navicular, and cuboid bones. It is common in patients with a history of midfoot injuries or those with naturally flat feet.
The pain is typically centered on the top of the foot and increases with movement.
Deep aching pain located on the top of the midfoot.
Swelling on the top of the foot that may be more noticeable after a long day of standing.
Pain that is worse during the first steps after rest or in the morning.
A visible bony prominence or hump on the top of the foot caused by bone spurs.
Difficulty wearing tight shoes due to pressure on the bony bumps.
Discomfort when walking on uneven ground or during the push-off phase of a step.
A clinical evaluation is necessary to distinguish midfoot arthritis from tendon issues or stress fractures.
Physical Examination
Weight-Bearing X-rays: Standing images used to see joint space narrowing and bone spur formation.
CT Scan: Provides a clearer view of the small joints to determine which specific bones are affected.
Diagnostic Injection: Injecting a numbing agent into a specific joint to see if the pain temporarily resolves.
Wearing shoes with a stiff sole or a rocker-bottom to limit midfoot motion.
Using custom orthotic inserts to support the arch and redistribute pressure.
Activity modification to avoid high-impact movements that involve significant foot flexion.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to manage chronic inflammation and pain.
Corticosteroid or platelet rich plasma (PRP) injections into the affected joints to provide targeted relief.
Calf stretching to reduce the mechanical tension pulling on the foot during walking.
Weight management to decrease the total force applied to the midfoot joints.
Midfoot fusion surgery to join the painful bones together if conservative treatment fails.