The Vicious Cycle of Tibial Tendonitis
Foot pain can really slow you down, especially when it’s caused by something like posterior tibial tendonitis.
The good news is that with the right approach, most people can find relief and get back to their usual activities.
In this article, we’ll explore:
- What posterior tibial tendonitis is,
- how it develops,
- the signs to look out for,
- and the best ways to treat it so you can keep stepping forward with confidence.
What is Posterior Tibial Tendonitis?
Posterior tibial tendonitis is a condition where the tendon that connects your calf muscle to the bones on the inside of your foot becomes inflamed or partially torn.
This tendon plays an important role in supporting the arch of your foot, so when it’s damaged, the arch can start to collapse.
The posterior tibial tendon is one of the most common—and most irritating—locations to develop tendonitis.
How Tendonitis Develops
Tendonitis occurs when a tendon gets inflamed or partially torn from overuse or injury.
When this happens in the posterior tibial tendon, the arch of your foot can give way.
Common factors that contribute to the development of tendonitis include:
- Overuse: Repetitive activities such as running, walking long distances, or standing for extended periods can strain the tendon, especially if done without adequate rest or proper footwear.
- Improper Foot Mechanics: Flat feet, overpronation (where the foot rolls inward excessively), or other abnormal foot alignments can increase the stress on the posterior tibial tendon, leading to inflammation.
- Injury: A sudden injury, like twisting your ankle, can cause immediate damage to the tendon, triggering inflammation and pain.
- Aging and Degeneration: As we age, tendons naturally lose some of their elasticity and strength, making them more susceptible to wear and tear.
- Poor Conditioning: Weakness in the muscles of the foot, ankle, and leg can place extra load on the tendon, leading to overuse injuries.
When these factors combine, the tendon can become overworked and unable to repair itself adequately, resulting in tendonitis.
Without proper treatment and rest, the condition can worsen, leading to a partial or complete rupture of the tendon, which can further impact your mobility and quality of life.
Symptoms of Tendonitis
If you have posterior tibial tendonitis, you might experience:
- Pain and swelling along the inside of your ankle or foot.
- A noticeable flattening of your foot’s arch (collapsed arch).
- Difficulty or inability to stand on your tiptoes, especially on one foot.
- Pain that worsens with activity, such as walking, running, or standing for long periods.
- A feeling of instability in the ankle or foot.
- An inward rolling of the ankle or foot, making it look like your foot is turning outwards.
If you’re noticing these symptoms, it’s a good idea to check in with a healthcare provider for an accurate diagnosis and proper treatment plan!
Diagnosis
Diagnosing posterior tibial tendonitis usually involves a few key steps:
- Physical Examination: One of the easiest ways for a physician to diagnose this condition is to simply look at the shape and functionality of your foot.
- Observation of Foot Position: A collapsed arch and the inability to rise onto your tiptoes while standing on one leg are tell-tale signs.
- Imaging Tests: An X-ray, ultrasound, or MRI may be ordered to get a closer look at the tendon and check for inflammation, tears, or other issues.
- Manual Tests: The doctor might press on the tendon or move your foot in specific ways to see where it hurts and how the tendon responds.
These steps help the doctor confirm the diagnosis and rule out other conditions that could be causing similar symptoms.
Treatment Options for Posterior Tibial Tendonitis
Non-Surgical Treatments
The good news is that most people can recover from posterior tibial tendonitis without surgery. However, every step you take can exacerbate the condition and impede healing.
- Rest: Since rest is vital to healing, stay off your feet as much as possible for a few weeks.
- Pain Relief: In the initial healing stages, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen (if your physician approves), ice, electrical stimulation, and massage can be used to relieve pain and reduce swelling.
- Targeted Physical Activity: While you should refrain from any high-impact activities that involve the foot, targeted physical activity will be integral to your recovery.
Orthotics and Bracing
Using an orthotic insert in your shoe or an ankle brace can be a great way to take pressure off the injured tendon.
Orthotics help support the arch of your foot, improve alignment, and reduce strain on the posterior tibial tendon, which can alleviate pain and prevent the condition from worsening.
At The Jackson Clinics, our Foot & Ankle Specialists can help you find the right fit for you.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy is a highly effective treatment option for posterior tibial tendonitis, focusing on reducing pain, improving strength and flexibility, and restoring normal foot function.
By using targeted exercises and therapeutic techniques, physical therapy helps support the healing process and prevents further injury.
– Pain Relief and Inflammation Reduction
Physical therapy can significantly reduce pain and inflammation associated with posterior tibial tendonitis.
Techniques such as massage, ice therapy, and electrical stimulation are often used in the initial stages to help manage discomfort and promote healing.
– Strengthening and Flexibility
One of the main goals of physical therapy is to build strength and improve flexibility in the muscles of the foot and leg.
By targeting these areas, physical therapy helps to support the injured tendon, reduce strain on the affected area, and prevent further injury.
– Customized Exercise Programs
Physical therapists create personalized exercise programs tailored to your specific needs, focusing on low-impact activities that strengthen the posterior tibial tendon without causing further damage.
These exercises not only improve muscle support around the tendon but also enhance overall foot and ankle stability.
– Improved Mobility and Function
Physical therapy also helps restore normal foot function and improve mobility.
Through guided movements and gradual progression of activities, physical therapy ensures that you can return to your daily routine with better foot mechanics and less pain, making each step more comfortable as you recover.
Did you know you have Direct Access* to Physical Therapy? No referral, no problem!
Recovery Timeline
It can take up to six months to feel complete relief from this painful condition.
A well-designed program will help build strength and increase flexibility in the muscles of the foot and leg, which will help compensate for your tendonitis.
By allowing your body to properly heal through a therapeutic approach, you will start feeling increasingly better by the week.
Remember, recovery is one (careful) step at a time!
The Jackson Clinics serves 18 locations throughout Northern Virginia.
Find one near you: https://thejacksonclinics.com/locations/