Almost 50% of people with rheumatoid arthritis experience arthritis symptoms in their feet. Midfoot arthritis is a type of arthritis that affects bones in the middle of the foot, including the tarsals and metatarsals. Midfoot arthritis refers to joint pain and inflammation in the joints between your ankle and your toes. People with a range of arthritic disorders, including osteoarthritis, can develop midfoot arthritis.
The midfoot joints help stabilize the arch of the foot and distribute pressure to the front of the foot. When these joints are inflamed or misaligned, the arch can become weakened and collapse.
Symptoms of midfoot arthritis can include:
- Pain during activity, including walking or standing.
- Tenderness or achiness in the middle of the foot.
- Swelling around the middle of the foot.
- Limited foot mobility.
3 tips for managing midfoot arthritis pain
Midfoot arthritis can be frustrating. Due to the chronic and consistent pain related to the condition, patients can feel discouraged from physical activity, which can then cause increased stiffness and pain.
Thankfully, there are several ways that patients can manage their pain so that it does not control their life. The following tips can help patients with midfoot arthritis manage their condition:
- Make lifestyle changes — Living with arthritis located in the feet can require patients to change their habits and routines. Patients may have to limit the intensity of activities and instead exercise in lower-impact settings like swimming and cycling. They may also have to exchange their current footwear for shoes with arch support, cushioning and space to accommodate swelling.
- Go to physical therapy — Sometimes, a professional is needed to help people regain mobility and reduce pain when walking. That’s why physical therapy can be a valuable treatment option for people diagnosed with midfoot arthritis. Physical therapists can introduce patients to exercises and stretches that target arthritis inflammation. A study showed that exercise in physical therapy can be exceptionally helpful in decreasing arthritis pain.
- Wear custom orthotics — A study showed that orthotics and proper footwear can effectively reduce arthritic symptoms in the foot. Custom orthotics can encourage those with midfoot arthritis to move again. They can limit pressure on inflamed joints and keep the foot aligned with the rest of the leg. As a result, patients can move more often with less pain, increase blood flow to their stiff feet, and prevent further damage to the area.
Biocorrect offers custom orthotics to help you manage your midfoot arthritis
Arthritis is a chronic condition that can restrict your daily mobility, especially when it’s in your feet. Our team of experts at Biocorrect can create orthotics that are molded to your feet’s specifications to help you walk with less pain. Contact us to learn more about the orthotics we offer or to set up an initial evaluation with one of our certified pedorthists.
