Midfoot Arthritis

What is Midfoot Arthritis

Moderate arthritis of the joint of the navicular and medial cuneiform

Normal left foot

At the Ankle, Foot and Orthotic Centre we are able to provide additional information about the presence of midfoot arthritis with ultrasound imaging.Typically there will be sclerosis of the midfoot joints and a loss of articular cartilage.

• Trauma – If any joint has sustained trauma this may include a fracture extending into the joint, surgery or significant trauma this may result in the development of arthritis
• Biomechanical abnormalities – Certain foot postures may exaggerate the force that is applied to the joints of the midfoot, resulting in arthritis
  • Higher Arched foot
  • Flat foot – in a flat foot there is
    

• Weight – Increased weight increases the force going through the joints of the midfoot
  

Complications of Midfoot Arthritis

• Pain
• Altered gait resulting in pain in other structures

Treatment of Midfoot Arthritis

Pain from arthritis is exaggerated with movement. Therefore the aim is to minimise movement this can be achieved with

• Orthotics
• Footwear modifications – stiffening the shoe and using rocker soled shoes
• Heel raises
• Analgesia
• Surgery (fusion)

What else could it be? (differential diagnosis)

Other problems that can cause similar pain to mid foot arthritis include:

Dorsal Midfoot compression

Tibialis posterior tendon dysfunction

Insertional tibialis anterior tendinopathy

Navicular stress fracture

Lisfranc Injury

The Ankle, Foot and Orthotic Centre’s Northcote Podiatrists can help you with all lower limb complaints, including Midfoot Arthritis. Make an appointment to get your foot and ankle pain under control.

Expert Podiatrists for the treatment of Midfoot pain servicing the areas of Northcote, Thornbury, Fitzroy, North Fitzroy, Carlton, North Carlton, Alphington, Fairfield, Brunswick, Coburg and Preston