About this topic
A tendon is a strong band of tissue that connects muscles to bones. The posterior tibial tendon connects your lower leg muscle to the inside of your ankle. It also helps support the arch of your foot. Any injury to this tendon is called posterior tibial tendinopathy. ‚
If the tendon is hurt, the arch of the foot can flatten. This may cause pain and trouble when walking. This problem most often happens on one side. It can happen in both legs. ‚
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What are the causes?
- Using the foot and ankle too much is a common cause. This often happens with running, jumping, or dancing.
- Falling
What can make this more likely to happen?
- Prior injury to the posterior tibial tendon
- Playing high impact sports like basketball, tennis, or soccer
- Women over 40 years of age
- Being overweight
- Have had steroid injections
- Have feet that roll outward
- Have health problems like high blood sugar, high blood pressure, arthritis
What are the main signs?
- Pain
- Mostly at the inside of the ankle and arch of the foot
- Worse with activity and running
- Worse when raising up onto toes
- May have pain at the outside of the ankle when the arch flattens and bones shift
- Weakness
- Flattening of the arch and foot rolls inward as the problem gets worse
- Swelling
How does the doctor diagnose this health problem?
Your doctor will feel around your leg and foot. Your doctor may push and pull around your ankle to check your motion and strength. Your doctor may also have you stand, walk, and raise up on your toes. Your doctor may order: ‚
How does the doctor treat this health problem?
- Rest
- Ice
- Keeping the foot raised
- Brace, cast, or taping the foot
- Inserts for your shoes if your feet are flat. These are foot orthotics.
- Crutches or walker to take pressure off your injured foot
- Exercises
- Surgery is only needed when there is very bad damage to the tendon or if no other treatment works.
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Help with pain and swelling
The doctor may give you a shot of an anti-inflammatory drug called a corticosteroid. This will help with swelling. Talk with your doctor about the risks of this shot. ‚
What problems could happen?
- Long-term foot and ankle pain
- Flattened arch
- Arthritis
- More tendon damage. Corticosteroid shots can help lower swelling of the tendon but they can also weaken the tendon. This may put you at risk for a large tear or rupture of the tendon. For this reason, these shots are not often done for this problem.
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
- Warm up slowly and stretch your muscles before you work out. Use good ways to train, such as slowly adding to how far you run. Do not work out if you are overly tired. Take extra care if working out in cold weather.
- Stay active and work out to keep your muscles strong and flexible.
- Take breaks often when doing things that use repeat movements.
- Avoid walking or running on uneven surfaces.
- Wear shoes with good support. Do not go barefoot.
- Keep a healthy weight so there is not extra stress on your joints. Eat a healthy diet to keep your muscles healthy.
Where can I learn more?
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons ‚
http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00166 ‚
American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons ‚
http://www.foothealthfacts.org/footankleinfo/pttd.htm ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚