Are you experiencing pain and swelling by the inner ankle bone or arch of yourfoot??? You probably are suffering from Posterior Tibial Tendonitis.

So what is posterior tibial tendonitis?

Posterior tibial tendonitis is a common and potentially disabling condition of the foot. The posterior tibial tendon arises from a large muscle on the inner portion of the lower leg and travels over the inner ankle bone attaching to the arch of the foot. The tendon is the most important soft tissue structure in the foot for support of the arch of the foot while standing and walking.

 Symptoms :

Include pain and swelling by the inner ankle bone and arch of the foot. The pain often comes about without a specific trauma to the foot and pain may radiate up the leg. The condition is more common in middle aged women, overweight individuals and those with flatter feet. The pain is frequently brought on by increased activity, prolonged periods of standing and walking, wearing non supportive shoes (flip flops, flats, etc.) and attempting to stand on ones toes.

Treatment:  

Early diagnosis and treatment for this condition is critical to improve long- term function for the patient. This problem can be progressive, with chronic inflammation of the tendon leading to weakening of the tendon and progressive flattening of the foot. This can eventually lead to arthritis and chronic pain in the foot. PT tendonitis can be diagnosed in the office by examination and performing an ultrasound exam of the painful region. Short term treatment to reduce pain and inflammation may include rest, anti-inflammatories, modification of shoe gear and activity  and bracing of the foot. Custom made orthotics to support the tendon are critical to avoid future deformity of the foot and chronic pain.

ESWT is a non-invasive treatment offered in our office which increase blood flow to the painful area to stimulate the body’s natural healing process. A combination of these treatment options frequently produces excellent results for patients in our office.