Richmond & Kensington, London
Midfoot Arthritis Treatment
in Richmond & Kensington
Reduce midfoot pain, improve mobility and protect your joints with evidence-based podiatry care from HCPC-registered specialists.
HCPC Registered
Custom Orthotics
Shockwave Therapy
No Referral Needed
Midfoot arthritis is a degenerative condition affecting the joints in the middle section of the foot — the tarsometatarsal and naviculocuneiform joints that connect the hindfoot to the forefoot. As the cartilage within these joints breaks down over time, bones begin to rub against each other, causing pain, stiffness and progressive loss of mobility.
It is more common than many people realise and is frequently under-diagnosed because midfoot pain can be mistaken for other conditions such as plantar fasciitis or a stress fracture. Early diagnosis and management can significantly slow the progression of joint damage and preserve your quality of life.
Osteoarthritis
The most common type. Caused by gradual wear and tear of joint cartilage over time. More common with age, previous foot injuries, or occupations involving prolonged standing or walking.
Post-Traumatic Arthritis
Arthritis developing after a specific injury to the midfoot — such as a Lisfranc fracture or ligament injury. Can develop months or years after the original injury even when the injury itself appeared to heal.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
An autoimmune condition causing inflammation of joint linings throughout the body, frequently affecting the feet. Requires co-management with a rheumatologist alongside podiatry care.
Gout
A form of inflammatory arthritis caused by uric acid crystal deposits in the joints. Can affect the midfoot and causes sudden, severe pain and swelling. Managed medically alongside podiatry offloading.
Symptoms
Aching or sharp pain across the midfoot
Stiffness — especially in the morning
Swelling along the top of the foot
Tenderness when pressing on the midfoot
Pain worsening with prolonged walking or standing
Difficulty wearing flat shoes or heels
Bony prominences or deformity over time
Altered gait to avoid painful areas
Common Causes & Risk Factors
Previous midfoot injury or fracture
Advancing age and natural joint wear
Flat feet or abnormal foot mechanics
Obesity — increased load on foot joints
Rheumatoid or inflammatory arthritis
Prolonged standing or repetitive loading
Family history of arthritis
Previous surgery to the foot
There is no cure for arthritis, but there is a great deal that can be done to reduce pain, slow progression and keep you active. At The Functional Podiatrist, our approach focuses on offloading the affected joints, improving movement patterns and addressing the biomechanical factors driving joint stress — giving you the best possible long-term outcome without surgery.
01
Comprehensive Assessment & Diagnosis
A thorough clinical examination of the midfoot including joint range of motion, palpation and load testing. We take a detailed history to understand the onset and pattern of your symptoms. If imaging is needed to confirm the diagnosis, we will refer you for X-ray or MRI.
02
Gait Analysis with Onform
Using our treadmill with Onform joint tracking software, we assess how you walk and identify how load is distributed through your midfoot during movement. This allows us to pinpoint which joints are under greatest stress and design a treatment plan that directly addresses the mechanical cause of your pain.
03
Custom Orthotics & Offloading
Custom orthotics are one of the most effective conservative treatments for midfoot arthritis. We design bespoke devices to redistribute load away from the arthritic joints, support the arch, and reduce the painful grinding of bone on bone. For severe cases, rocker-sole footwear may also be recommended to limit midfoot joint movement during walking.
04
Joint Mobilisation & Soft Tissue Therapy
Manual joint mobilisation techniques help restore available range of motion and reduce stiffness in the affected joints. Combined with soft tissue massage and targeted stretching, this can significantly reduce pain levels and improve walking comfort — particularly when stiffness is the dominant symptom.
05
Shockwave Therapy
For persistent midfoot pain associated with arthritic change, shockwave therapy can provide meaningful pain relief by stimulating tissue repair and reducing local inflammation. It is a non-invasive treatment delivered in clinic with no downtime required.
06
Injection Therapy
When pain is severe or limiting rehabilitation, corticosteroid or Ostenil (hyaluronic acid) injections into the affected joints can provide significant short-to-medium term pain relief. This can create a window of reduced pain in which exercise and rehabilitation are more effective.
07
Exercise & Rehabilitation
A personalised exercise programme to strengthen the muscles supporting the midfoot and ankle, improve joint stability and maintain mobility. Keeping the foot as strong and mobile as possible is one of the most important long-term strategies for managing arthritis.
08
Surgical Referral (Where Needed)
For end-stage arthritis that has not responded to conservative care, surgical fusion of the affected joints may be appropriate. We have an established network of trusted foot and ankle surgeons to whom we refer when this is the right option — and will support your recovery with post-operative rehabilitation.
✓
Whole-body, functional approachWe assess how your entire lower limb moves — not just the painful area — to find and treat the root cause.
✓
Gait analysis with OnformTreadmill assessment with joint tracking and visual overlays so you can see exactly what is driving your pain.
✓
Full treatment range in clinicOrthotics, shockwave, injection therapy, mobilisation and rehab — all available under one roof.
✓
HCPC-registered podiatristsSafe, regulated and professional care from experienced clinicians.
✓
Surgical referral networkIf surgery is needed, we refer to trusted foot and ankle specialists and support your recovery.
✓
Insurance acceptedWe work with Bupa, Aviva, WPA and most major private health insurers.
Can midfoot arthritis be treated without surgery?
Yes — the majority of people with midfoot arthritis manage very well with conservative care. Custom orthotics, footwear modifications, joint mobilisation, shockwave therapy and injection therapy can all provide significant pain relief and help maintain function for many years. Surgery is generally considered only when conservative treatment has been exhausted.
How do I know if my midfoot pain is arthritis or something else?
Midfoot pain can be caused by several conditions including plantar fasciitis, stress fractures, Lisfranc injuries, tendon problems and neuromas. An accurate diagnosis requires a clinical examination and often imaging. We will assess your foot thoroughly and refer for X-ray or MRI if needed to confirm the diagnosis before starting treatment.
Will arthritis get worse over time?
Arthritis is a progressive condition, meaning the joint changes tend to worsen over time without intervention. However, the rate of progression varies greatly between individuals and can be significantly slowed with appropriate management. Offloading the joints, maintaining a healthy weight, staying active and wearing supportive footwear all help to protect the joints over the long term.
What footwear is best for midfoot arthritis?
Footwear with a stiff, rocker sole is particularly helpful as it limits the amount of bending that occurs through the midfoot during walking — reducing pain significantly. We will give you specific footwear recommendations based on your assessment. In many cases, a well-fitted shoe combined with custom orthotics is highly effective.
Can I still exercise with midfoot arthritis?
Yes — staying active is important for managing arthritis. Low-impact activities such as swimming, cycling and walking on softer surfaces are generally well tolerated. High-impact activities that load the midfoot heavily — such as running on hard surfaces — may need to be modified. We will advise you on safe exercise options as part of your treatment plan.
Is this covered by health insurance?
Yes — podiatry consultations and many treatments are covered by most major private health insurers. We work with Bupa, Aviva, WPA and others. Please check your policy before booking. See our
Insurance page for full details.
Book your midfoot arthritis assessment
Richmond and Kensington clinics available. No referral needed.
