Mid Foot Arthritis

Quick answer: Mid Foot Arthritis affects roughly 1 in 4 adults in our practice. Effective treatment starts with a targeted diagnosis, conservative-first treatment, and escalation only when needed. We treat this regularly at our Howell and Bloomfield Hills practices. Call (810) 206-1402.

✅ Medically reviewed by Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM — Board-Certified Podiatrist · Last updated April 6, 2026

Mid Foot Arthritis

Mid Foot Arthritis – Mid Foot Arthritis is very common and is felt as continuous throbbing pain that gets worse throughout the day. Start FIXING IT NOW!!!

Skip To Treatment:

The Complete Arthritis Treatment Guide.

     

Other Mid Foot Pain In This Area:

• Ganglionic cyst – A soft bump.

• Metatarsal Exostosis – A hard bump.

• Medial Dorsal Cutaneous Nerve Irritation – Numb and Tingling.

 

Watch This Treatment Video!

What Is Mid Foot Arthritis?

• Arthritis simply means inflammation of the joint.
• There are about 4 main types of arthritis: Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Traumatic Arthritis & Gout.
• Osteoarthritis is the only one that commonly presents alone in the mid foot. Gout usually occurs in the big toe joint & Traumatic Arthritis only in areas of severe  previous injury(broken bones).
• Due to abnormal friction (“wear & tear”) over the decades, the hyaline cartilage breaks down in the mid foot.
• The joints can no longer smoothly glide against each other.
• The bone begins to grind against itself, causing cracking and loose fragments to appear in the joint.

     

What Are the Joints In The Mid Foot:

The highlighted blue area makes up the joints of the mid foot. These are comprised of the Lisfranc joint where the metatarsals attach to the mid foot & the Chopart joint that attaches the rear foot to the mid foot.

• The most commonly affected joint is the metatarsal cuneiform joint, shown highlighted by the yellow and red triangle:

   

• The Osteoarthritis mid foot pain is usually felt on top & the inside of the foot.
• It is possible to have a hard bone bump on top of the foot.
• This can also be associated with the development with a bunion.

Diagnosis Of Mid Foot Arthritis:

• Pain is the most common symptom in this area. It is usually sore and throbbing after a long time spent on your feet.
• Severe bunions, high arched feet can predispose you to mid foot arthritis.
• Spurs can form in the area of the arthritic joint, you can feel this as a large bump on the top of your foot.
• This can irritate nerves in the area and lead to numbness, burning & tingling.
• In progressed cases, the arthritis will be visible on X-ray.
• The bone in the area will be much more white due to constant fraying and irritation.

   

Mid Foot Arthritis Treatment:

Treatment for mid foot arthritis is similar to any osteoarthritis treatment. Initially conservative care is attempted for 3-6 months; if that does not work, surgery may be considered if the deformity is severe. Follow this link for the complete treatment guide to osteoarthritis:

The Complete Arthritis Treatment Guide.

   

Also Consider These Mid foot problems:

• Ganglionic cyst – A soft bump.

• Metatarsal Exostosis – A hard bump.

• Medial Dorsal Cutaneous Nerve Irritation – Numb and Tingling.

Expert Podiatric Care for Michigan Patients: Balance Foot & Ankle

Michigan patients with any foot or ankle condition — whether a first-time acute problem or a chronic issue that has not responded to self-care — can access expert podiatric evaluation and treatment at Balance Foot & Ankle. Our fellowship-trained podiatric surgeons provide thorough diagnostic evaluation using weight-bearing digital X-rays and musculoskeletal ultrasound, followed by targeted conservative or surgical treatment appropriate to the specific diagnosis. We treat the full spectrum of podiatric conditions: plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinopathy and rupture, Haglund’s deformity, bunions, hammertoes, neuromas, peripheral neuropathy, diabetic foot complications, toenail fungus, ankle instability, stress fractures, and more. Balance Foot & Ankle accepts Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Aetna, UnitedHealthcare, Cigna, Medicare, and most Medicare Advantage plans. Same-week new patient appointments are available at our Howell (4330 E Grand River, serving Livingston County) and Bloomfield Hills (43494 Woodward Ave #208, serving Oakland County) offices. Call (810) 206-1402 to schedule.

Foot and Ankle Surgery in Michigan: When Surgery is the Right Choice

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Related Treatment Guides

• Plantar Fasciitis & Heel Pain Treatment
• Custom 3D Orthotics
• Foot & Ankle Arthritis Treatment

Michigan patients considering foot or ankle surgery benefit from a consultation with a fellowship-trained podiatric surgeon who can provide an honest assessment of whether surgery will produce better outcomes than continued conservative management. At Balance Foot & Ankle, surgical recommendations are made only after conservative treatment has been appropriately trialed — with the exception of conditions where early surgical intervention produces clearly superior outcomes (acute Achilles tendon rupture, Lisfranc fracture-dislocation, certain tibial fractures). For conditions like bunions, hammertoes, ankle instability, and Haglund’s deformity, surgical correction is recommended when the structural problem has progressed beyond what conservative management can address and when the patient’s functional goals are not being met. Michigan patients with a foot or ankle condition that has not responded to conservative care can call Balance Foot & Ankle at (810) 206-1402 to schedule a surgical consultation at our Howell or Bloomfield Hills office.

Medical References & Sources

• American Podiatric Medical Association — Patient Education
• American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society — Foot Conditions

Clinical References

1. Rao S, et al. Shoe inserts alter plantar loading and function in patients with midfoot arthritis. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2009;39(7):522-531.
2. Jung HG, et al. Results of operative treatment of midfoot arthritis. Foot Ankle Clin. 2011;16(1):37-48.
3. Myerson MS, et al. Classification and evaluation of evidence of midfoot Lisfranc injuries. Foot Ankle Int. 2009;30(6):514-520.

Podiatrist-Recommended Products

🏆 Doctor Hoy’s Natural Pain Relief Gel — Our top recommendation for reducing foot pain and inflammation naturally.

PowerStep Pinnacle Orthotic Insoles — Reduces mechanical stress on foot structures. Physician-grade arch support.

CURREX Support Insoles — Dynamic arch support in low, medium, and high profiles.

In-Office Treatment at Balance Foot & Ankle

If home treatment isn’t providing relief for your foot arthritis, our podiatry team at Balance Foot & Ankle can help with same-day evaluations and advanced in-office care.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I see a podiatrist?

If symptoms persist past 2 weeks, affect your normal activity, or are accompanied by red-flag symptoms (warmth, redness, swelling, inability to bear weight).

What does treatment cost?

Most diagnostic visits and conservative treatments are covered by Medicare and major insurers. Out-of-pocket costs vary by your specific plan.

How quickly can I get an appointment?

Most non-urgent cases see us within 5 business days. Urgent cases (sudden pain, possible fracture) typically same or next business day.

What is Foot pain?

Foot pain is a common foot/ankle condition that affects mobility and quality of life. Understanding the underlying cause is the first step in successful treatment. Our podiatrists at Balance Foot & Ankle perform a hands-on biomechanical exam, review your activity history, and use diagnostic imaging when appropriate to identify the root cause—not just treat the symptom. Many patients have been told to “rest and ice” without a deeper diagnostic workup; our approach is different.

Symptoms and warning signs

Common signs of foot pain include pain that worsens with activity, morning stiffness, swelling, tenderness when palpated, and difficulty bearing weight. If you experience sudden severe pain, inability to walk, visible deformity, numbness or color change, contact our office the same day or visit urgent care—these can signal a more serious injury such as a fracture, tendon rupture, or vascular compromise. Diabetics with any foot wound should seek same-day care.

Conservative treatment options

Most cases of foot pain respond to non-surgical care: structured rest, supportive footwear changes, custom orthotics, targeted stretching and strengthening protocols, anti-inflammatory medications when medically appropriate, and in-office procedures such as ultrasound-guided injections. We also offer advanced therapies including MLS laser therapy, EPAT/shockwave, regenerative injections, and image-guided procedures. Treatment is sequenced from least invasive to most invasive, and we explain the rationale at every step.

When is surgery considered?

Surgery is reserved for cases that fail 3-6 months of well-structured conservative care, when there is structural pathology (severe deformity, complete tear, advanced arthritis), or when imaging shows damage that will not heal without intervention. Our surgeons have performed 3,000+ foot and ankle procedures and prioritize minimally-invasive techniques whenever appropriate. We discuss recovery timelines, return-to-activity milestones, and realistic outcome expectations before any procedure is scheduled.

Recovery timeline and prevention

Recovery from foot pain varies based on severity and chosen treatment path. Conservative cases often improve within 4-8 weeks with consistent adherence to the protocol. Post-procedural recovery may range from a few days (in-office procedures) to several months (reconstructive surgery). Long-term prevention involves footwear assessment, activity modification, structured strengthening, and regular check-ins with your podiatrist if you have a history of recurrence. We provide written home-exercise plans and digital follow-up support.

Related Care at Balance Foot & Ankle

Clinical arthritis services at our Howell and Bloomfield Hills offices.

Foot & Ankle ArthritisCortisone Injections