If you play a sport that often requires you to run, like tennis or baseball, then you may develop posterior tibial tendonitis. This issue occurs when one of the tendons that support the arch of your foot – connecting the tibia to the foot – becomes inflamed, usually due to tiny tears in the tendon.
In mild cases, noninvasive pain-relief measures are sufficient. However, in more serious cases, you may require surgery to repair the tendon.
Let’s talk about some of the key facts surrounding posterior tibial tendonitis treatment, and where you can go for world-class orthopedic care here in the San Antonio area.
You May Not Need Imaging to Receive a Proper Diagnosis
Your physician will ask how your injury occurred. Oftentimes, this information along with your symptoms is enough to enable an orthopedic doctor to give you a diagnosis of posterior tibial tendonitis and to prescribe treatment to alleviate your pain effectively.
Conservative Measures Work for Most Patients
Your doctor is likely to recommend over-the-counter pain relievers or mild prescription medication to help reduce the inflammation and pain in your foot. The orthopedist will probably also ask you to rest the area as much as possible, and to apply ice on the area for several minutes at a time, several times per day, to reduce the swelling. Be sure not to hold the ice or cold pack directly onto your skin in order to avoid frostbite.
Other nonsurgical solutions may include wearing shoe orthotics, a boot, or a brace to support the injured tendon while it heals. Physical therapy can help to promote healing and reduce your pain.
Some patients may also receive steroid injections to decrease the swelling.
Seek Medical Care When Foot Pain Is Persistent or Worsens
The longer you wait to receive treatment for your foot pain and tendon inflammation, the more serious the condition could become – and the more likely it is to turn into a disabling injury. The tendon could rupture, which could require surgery and an extensive recovery period.
In addition, tendonitis (tendon inflammation) can develop into tendinosis, which is when it becomes a degenerative condition that cannot be reversed. Abnormal blood vessel growth may arise as well.
Learn Prevention Techniques
To help prevent tendonitis from developing in the future, your orthopedic doctor will discuss with you the physical activities you participate in on a regular basis – and how to modify your workout schedule in order to give your posterior tibial tendon a break. Ultimately, you should reduce the number of days you’re exercising this tendon by either switching up your exercises or by giving yourself rest days in between active days.
Orthopedic Surgery and Sports Medicine in San Antonio, TX
Here at the Center for Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine, you’ll see an orthopedic physician who can give you a thorough examination and a treatment plan just for you. If you think you may have posterior tibial tendonitis or a similar foot or ankle injury, schedule an appointment by calling our friendly staff today at (210) 692-7400 or by filling out our easy-to-use appointment request form online now. We look forward to seeing you here!
