Midtarsal Joint Sprain [Causes, Symptoms & Best Treatment]

The Midtarsal Joint Sprain pain can cause #1) top of the foot pain & #2) Bottom of the foot pain. We go over the most common midfoot pain & 100% Best FIXES!

Midtarsal Joint Sprain Overview:

• The Midtarsal Joint Sprain is also known as Chopart’s joint injury and it consists of the talonavicular joint (between the talus and navicular bones) and calcaneocuboid joint (between the calcaneus or heel bone and the cuboid bone). 
• This can also include the Lisfranc joint and consist of a Lisfranc fraying or a Lisfranc’s fracture.

Symptoms:

• If you do have a traumatic injury, this may lead to bruising and swelling.
• Injury to the midtarsal joint is rare but is more commonly seen in gymnasts, footballers and sports involving jumping.
• The Lisfranc fracture can lead to severe pain, swelling and some severe numbness burning and tingling to the foot.
• If it is chronic pain or top of the foot pain, this may be something called dorsal compression syndrome.  This will lead to a slow aching throb that gets worse during the day.
• If it is the nerves on top of your foot that are irritated, this can lead to a sharp shooting and tingling pain.

Midfoot Anatomy & Ligaments:

There are two ligaments which are most commonly injured and these may produce slightly different symptoms.

• The Dorsal Calcaneocuboid ligament connects the Calcaneus and the Cuboid, on the top of the foot.
• The Bifurcate ligament, is a Y shaped ligament, consisting of 2 parts – the Calcaneonavicular ligament (between the Calcaneus and Navicular) and the Calcaneocuboid ligament (which is a second ligament between the Calcaneus and Cuboid).
• The Lisfranc ligament The Lisfranc joints.  This is your cuneiform bones and your first second third Metatarsals.

Causes:

Lisfranc injury:

• A Lisfranc fracture or Lisfranc sprain is an injury to the Lisfranc joint.
• This can be a rupture or fracture of the Lisfranc ligament.
• This is a very common injury in starting and stopping injuries.
• Specifically in football and soccer.
• This can take many months to get better and can require surgery.

Navicular fracture:

• Navicular fracture is a bone closer to her ankle from the Lisfranc joint.
• There are 2 types of fractures that can happen, one can be to the body and one can be to the accessory navicular.
• Look below for the for more details on the accessory navicular bone.
• A navicular fracture can be very common in runners and this is most likely a stress fracture.

Accessory navicular pain:

• The accessory navicular bone is common in a large portion of the population.
• This is a large lump that happens on the middle of your foot and on the inside of your foot.
• This is the insertion of the posterior tibial tendon.
• This can be related to posterior tibial tendon pain or posterior tibial tendinitis.

Posterior tibial tendinitis pain:

• The posterior tibial tendon runs on the inside of your ankle and the inside of her heel.
• This is the tendon that inserts into your navicular bone and accessory navicular.
• This can lead to aching in the inside of your midfoot.
• This is related to a midfoot sprain.

Top of the Foot Bone Spur:

• A bone spur on top of the foot is a very common cause of pain.
• If you have a lump on top of your foot this me be related to a midfoot sprain.
• This can cause lots of aching pain and rubbing on top of your shoe.

Top of the foot nerve pain:

• If you have sharp shooting and tingling pain, this can be related to a nerve injury on top of her foot
• Midtarsal joint sprains are related to this type of pain in many accidents.
• Make treat all have continuing nerve pain as this can rub against the top of your shoe and cause continued pain.

Diagnosis:

• Pain in the outside middle of the foot which may come on after an ankle sprain or similar injury.
• Pain and swelling on the outside top of the joint.
• Placing the foot into inversion may cause pain.
• An MRI scan may be done to confirm the diagnosis.
• An X-ray can be done to rule out a fracture.

Treatment

• Taping the foot might help support the joint.

• Doctor may prescribe NSAID’s (such as ibuprofen) to reduce pain and inflammation.

• Orthotic inserts may be fitted.

• A corticosteroid injection may be done if symptoms persist.

Symptoms of Bifurcate Ligament Injury

• Comes on after a severe ankle injury in conjunction with a fracture of the anterior process of the calcaneus.
• Pain on the outside middle of the foot.
• Pain is made worse by plantar flexion and supinating the foot at the same time (pointing the foot down and rolling it outwards).
• An MRI scan can confirm the diagnosis and X-rays should be done to identify a fracture, particularly of the anterior process of the heel bone.

Treatment of a Midtarsal Joint Sprain

• Treatment is similar to that of the calcaneocuboid injury with immobilisation for 4 weeks.

• Surgery may be considered.

For more on a Midtarsal Joint Sprain:

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Related Treatment Guides

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

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