Foot Tendonitis
Causes and Treatment of Foot Tendonitis
Foot tendonitis is a painful condition that can happen to almost anyone. It is common in athletes, people who work on their feet, the elderly and those with flat feet.
The tendon that is affected or injured during foot tendonitis is called the posterior tibial tendon. It lies near the top of the foot along the front, connected to the tibia. If you experience pain in this region, swelling or a hot feeling and stiffness in the foot and ankle, you may be suffering from this condition. Another characteristic sign is a stabbing feeling radiating through your arch as you stand on your toes. That feeling occurs when the nerves around the posterior tibial tendon have become inflamed.
Often athletes will suffer from foot tendonitis, especially if they don’t wear proper footwear while exercising. When your foot is not supported correctly, the possibility of injury is much greater. Once you feel the inflammation, your tendon has likely suffered strain and is now ruptured.
Avoid standing for extended periods of time; rest when possible. And always wear footwear appropriate to your activity. Be aware that climbing steep hills and vigorous activity on uneven ground are both common causes of a tendon injury.
As we age, our tendons will become brittle and the frequency or chance of tendonitis is greater. Watch your activity level and the surface you move on to avoid foot tendonitis.
If you are feeling the pain, there are a few things you can do in the comfort of your home. An easy way to remember home treatment is with the anagram RICE - Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation. Using those four methods you will likely see great relief and may not have to visit the doctor at all due to your injury.
Rest is an obvious treatment. Stay off of your feet when you feel the pain and discomfort of tendonitis. Otherwise you risk irritating the injury further.
Ice is important and should be applied regularly. No longer than 20 minutes at a time and not directly onto your skin. Use a towel-wrapped ice pack to cool the affected area.
Compression can be attained by wrapping a bandage around the foot. These can be purchased at your local pharmacy and can be reused again later.
Elevation is important to manage swelling and also forces you to stay off of the injured foot. Use a pillow to comfortably elevate and stay that way for decent periods of time.
Using these four methods of home treatment should alleviate the pain in most cases. You can also take over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication or pain relievers if desired.
If the pain is severe, worsens or is not relieved with diligent treatment at home, consult your doctor for an examination. An MRI may be performed to find out if the tendon has ruptured and visualize the nerve inflammation. In some cases, your doctor may recommend a cast or special boot to actively limit the range of movement for the injured foot. Procedures such as cortisone injections or surgery are also used to treatment severe cases.
After your foot and tendon return to normal, take it easy as you begin to get active again. Always stretch before working out or playing sports. Watch the surface you are moving on and take precautions accordingly. Wear proper footwear, including insoles or inserts if the arch of your foot is not well supported. These precautions will help you to avoid another occurrence of the painful condition and more time spent off of your feet.
Foot tendonitis is painful, but can be treated in many different ways at different levels. Be sure to be good to your feet and treat them with care. If an injury does occur, take the necessary time to rest as your body repairs. Try to avoid high risk situations and wear supportive footwear to lessen the chance of this type of injury occurring.