Arthritis on Top of the Foot – Causes, Symptoms & Physiotherapy Treatment

Experiencing Pain on the Top of Your Foot?

If you’re feeling pain, stiffness, or swelling on the top of your foot, particularly when walking, climbing stairs, or first thing in the morning — you may be dealing with foot osteoarthritis. This condition is a common yet often overlooked source of foot and ankle pain, especially in those over 40 or with a history of foot injuries.

At City Physio & Pilates in the Sydney’s CBD, we help people manage foot arthritis with personalised physiotherapy, hands-on treatment, and targeted exercise programs designed to reduce pain and preserve mobility.

What Is Arthritis on Top of the Foot?

Foot osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative arthritis of the midfoot, typically affects the joints between the:

Second and third metatarsals (long bones of the foot)
Cuneiform bones (small bones on top of the foot)
Navicular bone and talus (in the ankle)

These joints absorb a significant amount of stress with every step, especially during:

Running or jumping
Prolonged walking or standing
Wearing stiff or unsupportive shoes
Repetitive trauma from sports or ankle sprains

Over time, the cartilage protecting these joints wears down, causing inflammation, stiffness, and pain – most commonly felt as discomfort on top of the foot or around the midfoot arch.

Common Symptoms of Midfoot Osteoarthritis

Aching or burning pain on top of the foot or midfoot
Stiffness when getting out of bed or after long periods of sitting
Swelling across the foot, especially with activity
Difficulty standing, walking, or running for long periods
Bony lumps or bone spurs (osteophytes) on the top of the foot
Trouble fitting into regular shoes

If left untreated, midfoot arthritis can lead to joint instability, gait changes, and compensation pain in the knees, hips or back.

Why Physiotherapy Is Essential for Foot Arthritis

At City Physio & Pilates, our expert physiotherapists provide a non-invasive, drug-free approach to managing arthritis symptoms and improving joint function.

Your physiotherapy session may include:

Detailed joint assessment – range of motion, strength, foot mechanics, and walking pattern
Hands-on techniques – gentle joint mobilisation to improve movement and reduce stiffness
Tailored exercise program – to strengthen foot and ankle muscles and support joint function
Foot taping or bracing – to offload painful joints and improve alignment
Dry needling or soft tissue release – to ease surrounding muscle tightness and inflammation
Footwear and orthotic advice – to reduce impact and improve support

We also assess biomechanics from the hips down, as weakness or imbalances in the knees, hips or pelvis can place excess pressure on the foot.

Long-Term Management: Exercise & Maintenance Physio

Just like brushing your teeth, regular movement is essential for joint health. Our physiotherapists will create a home exercise program focusing on:

Toe and arch control
Ankle stability
Balance and proprioception
Calf and hamstring flexibility

Ongoing physiotherapy every 4–6 weeks can help reduce flare-ups, keep your joints moving freely, and adjust your exercise program as your needs change.

Do You Have Osteoarthritis in the Foot or Ankle?

You don’t need to wait for your symptoms to get worse. If you’re experiencing persistent top-of-foot pain, don’t ignore it. Early assessment and treatment can slow the progression of arthritis and significantly improve your quality of life. Simple modifications to shoes, foot and ankle movement and exercise recommendations can significantly improve your pain!

Book an Appointment with an experiened Sydney CBD Foot Physiotherapist

At City Physio & Pilates at 25 Martin Place, we’ve been helping patients manage foot and ankle arthritis for over 45 years. Our team delivers comprehensive, evidence-based physiotherapy tailored to your lifestyle and activity goals.