The midfoot is known as the Lisfranc area. It is comprised of a group of small bones that form the arch of the foot. This area contains ligaments and joints that connect the bones of the feet together and consists of cuboid, navicular, and cuneiform bones. An injury to the midfoot can cause swelling, extreme pain, deformity, redness, and bruising. Injuries can occur at either the top or bottom of the middle of the foot.
Common Causes of Midfoot Pain
One of the most common causes of midfoot pain is dropping something on your foot. The dropped object can bruise or even break the middle of the foot. If someone steps on your foot or if you step on something, an injury to your middle foot can happen. Midfoot injuries can also occur during running, cycling, and other strenuous activities that put pressure on the foot and can result in a stress fracture of the middle foot.
Midfoot injuries can either happen suddenly during an automobile or sports accident or develop over time due to wear and tear. Some other causes of midfoot pain are:
- Arthritis. Mild or severe midfoot pain that worsens while walking or standing can be caused by arthritis.
- Dislocation. The midfoot bones can be pushed out of position due to a sprain and can shift the joints of the foot.
- Fracture. A crack or break in the bone can vary in degree of severity but can happen after overuse or injury.
- Sprain. If you stretch the ligaments and tendons in your midfoot, they can loosen and be sprained.
- Plantar fasciitis. Inflammation of the plantar fascia, which connects the front of your foot to the heel, can cause pain in the midfoot area.
- Cuboid syndrome. When the joints and tendons near the cuboid bone in the middle of the foot become injured or torn, pain can spread from the outside of the foot to the midfoot.
- Prior injury. Middle foot pain can also be the result of a prior injury that never healed properly or that has become reinjured.
Midfoot Injury Symptoms
Symptoms of a midfoot injury vary depending on the reason for the pain.
- Numbness, tingling, or burning can indicate a nerve problem.
- Morning pain and soreness that improves after walking can indicate a problem with the muscle or tendon.
- Pain, swelling, and bruising can indicate a broken bone or inflamed tendon.
It is advised to consult with your podiatrist if you are experiencing symptoms and pain in your midfoot area. Your podiatrist will examine your foot to determine the cause of your pain and recommend necessary treatment.
Treating a Midfoot Injury
Once your podiatrist evaluates your injury, he can come up with a personalized treatment plan that can help you overcome your painful midfoot injury. How a midfoot injury is treated depends on the severity of the injury. Mild injuries often require taking a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) and using the RICE method until the injury heals and pain subsides. This method consists of:
- Rest
- Ice
- Compression
- Elevation
More severe injuries and fractures of the bones can be treated by:
- Steroid injection
- Cast or splint
- Physical therapy
- Surgery
While a midfoot injury is not always preventable, there are some precautions you can take such as:
- Wear proper footwear while engaging in sports
- Warm-up and stretch your feet before running
- Rest your feet when they ache or feel tired
When to See Your Podiatrist
If you are having pain in your midfoot region or other areas of your foot or ankle, Greater Washington Advanced Podiatry can help you understand the issues you may be experiencing. Our office can offer a free initial consultation and can help create a customized plan to address your pain and get you back on your feet as soon as possible. To set up an appointment, fill out our convenient contact form or call us at (301) 515-FEET.
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