More about Foot Tendonitis...
Some Common Causes
- Overuse of the tendon by excessive walking, running or exercise. Particularly uphill.
- Tendon problems tend to become noticeable with increasing use. For example, a marathon runner is more likely to experience tendon problems than a couch potato
- However, it’s not just excessive use: the tendons work in a well-controlled manner and are designed to control normal foot function. If your foot has a high or low arch then certain tendons have to work harder to control the foot. This increased stress can damage the tendons leading to pain.
The Main Symptoms
- Pain along the course of the affected tendon.
- The pain can be burning, tingling, shooting or stabbing.
- You may find moving your foot in specific directions painful, and the pain will be related to movement.
Cathy Bowen
MSc DPodM ILTM, Podiatrist
Foot Tendonitis
Foot Tendonitis (Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction) refers to pain in the tendons.
Tendons connect the muscles in your leg to the bones in
the foot. There are various tendons, and they may
become inflamed or tired. Common tendons that
become painful include the Achilles tendon, which
is the heel cord that lies behind your heel, and
the tendon of tibialis posterior, which lies on the
inside of your ankle and helps support the arch.
Suggested Treatments for Foot Tendonitis
Rest will help.
Try not to walk in flat shoes or barefoot.
Use cold therapy to reduce the swelling - an ice pack for 20 mins x three times per day.
Compression exercises will help.
Strengthening exercises for the tendon will help.
Gently stretch the area whenever you are going back to activity levels that have previously prompted the problem to occur - reducing the chances of more tendon problems developing.
Wear a corrective device such as an Orthotic to help realign the foot and allow the tendon to work normally. The most common misalignment is flat foot, and "arch supports" are designed to control that problem
If the problem persists it is worth consulting your HPC registered Podiatrist or GP, who may suggest anti-inflammatory medicines. In some cases, which are relatively unusual, surgery may be useful. However, this would only be after discussion with your health care professional, GP and orthopaedic surgeon.
Treating your condition
The Traffic Light symbol at the top of each condition page indicates the way you should approach it:
Red: Seek professional help immediately, either from a suitably qualified Podiatrist or Physiotherapist.
Amber: You can treat this condition yourself BUT you should seek professional help if you want reassurance that what you are doing is the best approach for you.
Green: You can treat this condition yourself if you feel comfortable doing so. However, for further reassurance it might be as well to talk the condition through with a suitably qualified Podiatrist.
Remember this advice is for guidance only and if you are in any doubt at all, please consult your nearest HPC Registered Podiatrist.