Midfoot pain can be difficult to deal with, especially when it’s severe and ongoing. It can affect walking and balance, so it can potentially have an effect on virtually every aspect of your life. When it gets worse with every step, that can be even more debilitating. After all, putting everything on hold and staying off of your feet usually isn’t an option.
Your midfoot is the middle portion of your foot, and it contains several bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and nerves. It connects your toes and the front portion of your foot to your heel and ankle. Its bones and soft tissues give your foot stability, form your arch, and absorb impacts when you walk and run. With all that being the case, any number of issues can lead to pain in that area. Learning more about midfoot pain and cuneiform fractures can help you understand whether the pain stems from a simple issue or something more serious.
What Causes Midfoot Pain?
Many things can cause midfoot pain, but it commonly comes from the force of walking, running, jumping, or standing for long periods of time. It can also be caused by stretching and tearing of the tendons in the midfoot. That type of injury often happens due to twisting movements. Midfoot injuries and pain can come from falls as well. Those injuries may result in swelling, bruising, and difficulty placing weight on the affected foot.
Some medical conditions can cause midfoot pain. Arthritis and tendonitis are among the most common. People with flat feet or very high arches are more likely to experience pain and injuries in the midfoot as well. That’s because the structure of their feet causes excess pressure on the middle when they’re carrying out everyday activities.
What Are Cuneiform Bones?
Cuneiform bones are small bones in the center of the foot. There are three of them in each foot. They’re located between the ankle bones and the metatarsals, which are the long bones that lead to the toes. The cuneiform bones help with balance and foot structure. Since they’re part of the arch, they absorb impacts with every step you take.
Symptoms of Cuneiform Fractures
Cuneiform fractures are fairly uncommon. When they happen, though, they’re often caused by significant trauma, like serious falls, sports injuries, car accidents, and impacts from heavy objects. They can also develop gradually due to ongoing stress. That often happens to dancers, athletes, and others who carry out repeated high-impact movements.
Symptoms of a cuneiform fracture can include swelling and bruising, tenderness when putting pressure on the foot, difficulty bearing weight, and pain that gets worse when you stand or walk. Cuneiform fractures can also cause you to limp or change the way you step when you’re walking.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Midfoot Pain and Cuneiform Fractures
Since midfoot pain is often the result of stress and overuse, staying off of your feet as much as possible and avoiding strenuous activity may give your injury time to heal. If the pain doesn’t get better on its own or gets worse over time, it’s best to see a doctor for a foot exam and medical imaging.
If your midfoot pain is caused by a cuneiform fracture, rest and immobilization may be all you need to let it heal. For a more serious fracture, your doctor may put a cast on your foot, give you a walking boot, and/or put you on crutches. For severe fractures that involve additional injuries, like joint or serious soft tissue damage, surgery may be needed.
Keeping Your Feet Working Properly and Painlessly
Midfoot pain often comes from simple causes that are easily treatable. If the pain lasts longer than a week or gets worse, though, it could be from a more serious injury, like a cuneiform fracture. In that case, you need to get hands-on treatment to ensure the bones heal properly and avoid long-term complications.