“The middle of my foot is killing me!”

Jane Lawler • August 9, 2021

If you’ve got pain in the middle part of your foot, it’s worth having it investigated.

Let’s face it, the foot is a complex piece of anatomy, made up of bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, muscles, nerves and blood vessels. Any one of these groups of structures can be involved in foot pain. But if you have pain in the middle part of your foot that is not resolving, you should get it seen to. It may be caused by a condition known as midfoot arthritis, which is progressive and can occur because of a number of reasons. This might be following trauma or damage to the foot (traumatic osteoarthritis), or because of underlying condition such as rheumatoid arthritis. Even faulty foot mechanics, such as flat feet, can result in midfoot arthritis. The condition primarily affects adults and it’s typical to have pain and swelling, which gets worse with activities such as walking or any action involving twisting of the foot.
 
It can be tricky to make a diagnosis of midfoot arthritis, especially if there are other structures involved in the pain or pathology. Sometimes these can be very subtle and can mimic one another. Imaging (such as x-rays, MRI, CT) are used to confirm the diagnosis.
 
At Junction Foot and Ankle Group we know all about midfoot arthritis. Podiatric Surgeons Dr Julie Taranto and Mr Michael Taranto are foot and ankle specialists and are able to assess and manage this condition. Non-surgical treatments include pain management, injection therapy, attention to footwear, foot supports or orthoses, shoe modifications and weight loss. When non-surgical management fails to provide adequate relief of pain or if your activities of daily living are affected, surgery may be needed. During a surgical consultation with our Podiatric Surgeons the surgical options available to you will be discussed along with the associated risks and recovery time.

The Nail That Wouldn’t Behave – A Story About Ingrown Toenails

By Asha Curry • September 2, 2025
Meet Jack. He’s 14, loves soccer, and spends most afternoons running around the pitch with his mates. But for the last couple of years, he’s been hobbling more than sprinting. The culprit? A troublesome toenail on his big toe that has become so painful and embarrassing that he no longer wants to take his socks off in front of his friends. At first, Jack shrugged it off. “It’s just a bit sore,” he told his mum. But soon, the toe became red, swollen, and tender to even the lightest touch. Wearing his footy boots felt like stepping on a Lego brick every time he moved. Then the tissue around the toe started to get bigger and would bleed whenever it was knocked. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Ingrown toenails are incredibly common in kids and adolescents — often thanks to active lifestyles, tight shoes, or nails that just grow in awkward shapes. Adults aren’t immune either — anyone can get them. The good news? This is not something you have to put up with. Step one is usually conservative care from your podiatrist. We can gently remove the offending nail edge, reduce inflammation, and give you tips to stop it from coming back — like proper nail trimming techniques and footwear advice. But sometimes, as in Jack’s case, the nail problem keeps coming back to cause trouble and the tissue inflammation is too much to benefit from non-surgical measures. That’s when we can offer some surgical solutions. This can range from a simple surgical procedure, done under local anaesthetic, to a more invasive procedure which is usually done as a day procedure in a day surgery or hospital. As Jack’s problem was recurrent, we suggested a more permanent procedure to remove the sections of nail and skin that were problematic, under general anaesthetic (Jack was asleep and had no pain). Jack had the surgery. Three weeks later, he was back on the field, scoring goals without a second thought about his toe. His mum says the only regret was not getting it sorted sooner. If you or your child are dealing with a stubborn, sore toenail, remember: you don’t have to live with it. There is a definitive solution — and we’re here to help you find it. 

Walking on Eggshells: Jane's Story

By Asha Curry • May 6, 2025
When Jane turned 58, she started noticing a bump forming on the side of her big toe. At first, it didn’t bother her much — just a little rubbing in her shoes. But over time, her bunion got bigger, and her second toe started curling upwards. It wasn’t long before even short walks became painful. She thought the pain was “just part of getting older,” but her knees and hips had started aching too. Why? Because her body was compensating for her sore feet. Jane's gait (the way she walked) had changed, putting extra pressure on other joints. She also started feeling less steady on her feet, especially when barefoot or in slippers. Finding shoes was another challenge — nothing seemed to fit comfortably anymore. Fashion took a back seat to function, and even then, her shoes still hurt by the end of the day. Eventually, Jane reached out for help. What Are Bunions and Hammer Toes? Bunions are bony bumps at the base of the big toe that cause the toe to shift out of alignment. Hammer toes are bent, curled toes that can develop from the pressure caused by bunions or from muscle imbalances. Both conditions can cause pain, difficulty walking, and trouble finding shoes that fit. What Can Be Done? Thankfully, Jane had options. Non-surgical treatment included: - Custom orthoses (prescription shoe inserts) to support her feet and reduce pressure. - Footwear advice to help find supportive, comfortable shoes. - Stretching and strengthening exercises to help improve balance and foot function. In some cases these options are not enough to provide symptom relief, and in Jane’s case, she explored surgical correction as her activities of daily living were being affected. Our Podiatric Surgeons explained the procedure clearly, and helped Jane understand how surgery could relieve pain, correct the deformity, and help her walk comfortably again. Ready to Take the First Step? If your feet are holding you back like Jane’s were, let’s talk. ✅ Book an appointment with one of our non-surgical podiatrists for a full assessment and personalised treatment plan. ✅ Or, if you’d like to explore surgical options, you can book a consultation with one of our Podiatric Surgeons, Julie Taranto or Michael Taranto.