Midfoot osteoarthritis is a type of arthritis affecting the central region of the foot, causing pain that makes walking or even standing difficult. In most cases, it develops slowly and progressively over years; though it can also occur after a major foot injury.
Symptoms
The main symptom of midfoot osteoarthritis is pain in the center of the foot. Additional symptoms involve:
Increased pain in the morning.
Worsening pain after standing for long periods.
Pain that intensifies after walking for extended durations.
Difficulty walking.
A noticeable bony bump on the top of the foot.
Causes
Midfoot osteoarthritis results from deterioration of the cartilage in the foot that causes pain and discomfort. The main causes are:
Cartilage degeneration: The cartilage located between the 26 bones in the foot gradually wears down because of day-to-day activities as well as the natural aging process. This causes the bones to rub against one another.
Repetitive strain: Frequent strain on the foot, particularly from high-impact activities, can speed up the breakdown of cartilage.
Injury: A serious foot injury, like a fracture or severe sprain, can cause damage to the cartilage and contribute to the early development of midfoot arthritis.
Abnormal foot mechanics: Disorders affecting foot alignment or movement, like flat feet or high arches, are likely to strain midfoot joints, causing cartilage wear.
Diagnosis
Diagnosing midfoot osteoarthritis generally involves:
Medical history: Reviewing symptoms (such as pain, swelling, stiffness), their onset, any past injuries, and potential risk factors.
Physical examination: Looking for pain during palpation, restricted range of motion, changes in gait, and visible joint deformities.
X-rays: Detecting narrow joint space, osteophytes, and subchondral sclerosis.
Advanced imaging: If necessary, MRI can be used to assess damage to the soft tissue and cartilage, while CT scans are used to obtain detailed bone images.
Treatment Options
At The Joint Pain Clinic, we often treat and manage midfoot arthritis without the need for surgery. Common treatment options include:
Activity adjustment: Your provider may advise you to high-impact activities that worsen foot pain. Low-impact exercises, like cycling or swimming, may be recommended as better alternatives.
Physical therapy: Therapies may be helpful in alleviating pain by strengthening the muscles, and joints around the foot. For instance, strengthening the calf muscles can ease pressure on the feet.
Weight management: Maintaining a healthy weight can help reduce strain on the midfoot joints, providing pain relief.
Pain medications: Over-the-counter pain relievers may be used to manage discomfort.
Corticosteroid injections: Injecting corticosteroids into the foot gives pain relief.
Assistive devices: Tools like canes or walkers help alleviate stress on the feet when walking.
At times, surgery may be necessary for effective management of midfoot arthritis. Surgical procedures may address bone spurs that cause pain when wearing shoes or problems with the midfoot joint.
The surgical option for the midfoot joint includes joint fusion, a procedure that realigns the foot bones to ease pain and enhance functionality.
