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What is Midfoot arthritis and how is it caused?

Pain in the midfoot is sometimes due to osteoarthritis in the metatarsocuneiform (MTC) joints. The commonest cause of arthritis in these joints is altered foot biomechanics, previous injury or neuroarthropathy. People with unusually high arches or flat feet are particularly prone to midfoot arthritis.

What are the symptoms?

Most people with midfoot arthritis complain of one or more of the following:

  • Pain in the foot which is difficult to exactly locate
  • Swelling which is worse during or after weight-bearing activity
  • Difficulty with footwear
  • Difficulty standing on tip-toe or climbing stairs

What treatments are available?

Initial management of arthritis includes weight loss if required, pain medication, health supplements such as glucosamine/chondroitin sulphate, alteration or modification of activities, change in footwear and insoles.

X-ray guided injection of steroid and local anaesthetic is often performed for diagnostic purposes, but is sometimes also curative. If these measures fail or if the pain is severe and affecting your quality of life then surgery may be necessary.

What does the operation involve?

Prior to the operation you will be seen in the Pre-assessment clinic or receive a phone call assessment. This is to ensure that you are fit to have surgery.

The operation is carried out under general anaesthesia, often supplemented with a local anaesthetic block for pain relief. One or two incisions are made on top of the foot; the affected joints are removed, and then compressed together with metal screws, staples or plates. Sometimes bone graft is needed, and can be taken from above the ankle, below the knee or the hip bone. The joints are then allowed to “fuse” together. 

Your risk of developing a deep vein thrombosis will be assessed and prophylactic treatment will be given as required.

What about pain?

Whilst you are in hospital you will be monitored and the medical staff will give you pain relief as required and prescribed. You will be given pain relief medication to take home. Advice regarding this will be given by the nursing staff before you leave hospital.

How long does recovery take?

Most patients remain in hospital for approximately 1-2 days after the operation. You will have a temporary cast below the knee, and will be required to non-weight bear with crutches initially.
Your temporary cast and wound dressings will be changed and stitches removed (if applicable) at your follow-up appointment, which is usually about 10 days after the operation.

Swelling is quite common after foot and ankle surgery and this is best managed by elevating the foot at regular intervals. You are advised to elevate the operated foot/ankle on a pillow every night and during the day on three separate occasions, e.g., 11am, 3pm and 6pm, for about one hour each time. The above measures will help to reduce swelling of the ankle. These instructions should be followed for at least 10-14 days. 

After 10–14 days, you will be placed in a full below-knee cast, but will not be allowed to weight-bear. You must keep the cast dry. The length of time until weight-bearing is permitted varies with the operative technique used, and you should ask your surgeon about this before the operation.

After 6 weeks, you will usually be allowed “protected weight-bearing” in a special removable walker-boot or weight-bearing cast. The usual length of time until unprotected weight-bearing after a midfoot arthrodesis is 10–12 weeks. 

When can I return to work and driving?

This will depend on the type of work you do. For example, if you have a desk job you may be able to return to work after 2-4 weeks if you are able to elevate your foot whilst sitting. If you do manual work, you may need up to 12 weeks off work.

Patients having had the left foot operated on will be able to drive an automatic car within 2-3 weeks (short distances only to avoid swelling). Those who have had an operation on the right side will be able to drive after about 12 weeks.

You are advised not to fly after surgery for six weeks (short haul) and 12 weeks (long haul).

Following a midfoot arthrodesis, the foot is stiffened slightly, but these joints are relatively immobile anyway, so loss of movement is rarely noticed. Golf, walking and even running short distances are all possible after a successful midfoot arthrodesis.

What are the possible complications?

  • Infection
  • Prolonged swelling (this can last for 3 to 6 months)
  • Nerve or blood vessel injury
  • Stiffness of the ankle
  • Deep vein thrombosis (clot in vein)
  • Pulmonary embolus (clot in lung)
  • Delayed union or Non-union (failure to fuse)
  • Malunion (fuses in an imperfect foot position)
  • Post-operative pain (including complex regional pain syndrome)

The above complications are rare but can occur.

Useful Contacts

Heatherwood Hospital:

Frimley Park Hospital:

Wexham Park Hospital:

 

Contact us

If you have any queries relating to this information, please contact the Orthopaedics service.

About this information

Service:
Orthopaedics

Reference:
N/021

Approval date:
13 February 2024

Review date:
1 January 2027

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Important note 

This page provides general information only. It is developed by clinical staff and is reviewed regularly every 3 years for accuracy. For personal advice about your health, or if you have any concerns, please speak to your doctor.