What Is Tarsometatarsal Degenerative Joint Disease?

Tarsometatarsal degenerative joint disease describes osteoarthritis in the joints between the tarsal and metatarsal bones in the middle foot, known as the tarsometatarsal joints. The first tarsometatarsal joint is one of the most commonly affected areas in osteoarthritis of the foot.

Symptoms

• Pain, decreased flexibility, stiffness, and bone spurs are some of the symptoms of osteoarthritis. Tarsometatarsal osteoarthritis patients often report pain and deformity in the midfoot severe enough to limit activity.

Cause

• Osteoarthritis can affect you over time as the cartilage "cushions" between joints deteriorates. Research suggests that osteoarthritis is caused by a number of factors, including aging, obesity, injury to the joint and heredity.

Non-Surgical Treatments

• Medications like over-the-counter or stronger pain relievers, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and cortisone shots may be helpful in pain management. Tarsometatarsal degenerative joint disease may also be treated with orthotics, special shoes or cast immobilization.

Surgical Treatments

• Arthroplasty (joint replacement) and arthrodesis (joint fusion) are common surgical treatments for tarsometatarsal osteoarthritis. Doctors may also use viscosupplementation--injection of cushioning material--and joint realignment to treat osteoarthritis.

Surgical Complications

• Infection, healing problems, failed or poor joint fusion, neuroma (thickening of nerve tissue) and arthritic changes to nearby joints can arise as complications of surgery to the tarsometatarsal region. Seek your doctor's advice for the best approach to dealing with tarsometatarsal osteoarthritis.