Mid Foot Arthritis

Quick answer: Midfoot arthritis often shows up as aching and stiffness across the middle of the foot that is worse with activity, and the first step is confirming it is arthritis of the midfoot joints rather than a tendon problem or an old injury flaring up. Stiff-soled shoes and orthotics help many people; imaging guides the plan. We evaluate it at our Howell and Bloomfield Hills offices. 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 Township (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

---

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 Township 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.