Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction

If you feel pain along the inside of your foot and ankle, you may be at risk for arch collapse. At Integrity Foot & Ankle Associates in Lorain, we take a particular interest in sports medicine, and one of the most frequent athletic injuries is Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction. When this tendon breaks down, the arch of a patient’s foot is less supported, and without intervention, it may continue to degenerate and spread pain throughout the foot.

The posterior tibial tendon connects the calf muscles to the bones that make up the foot’s arch. It may be torn from an acute injury or from repeated stress, which is especially common among people who play sports that subject their feet to a lot of impacts, such as soccer and basketball. As the tendon weakens and the arch flattens out,  the foot will roll inwards. This will force the ankle inwards and the toes outward, so while pain begins on the inside of the foot, the outside of the foot will become sore, as well. A flat foot may become arthritic, and with a weakened posterior tibial tendon, a person would have a hard time standing up on their toes.

We can diagnose Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction with imaging tests and by having a patient demonstrate a range of motions and stretches. If the foot has not flattened out too much, a patient may be able to avoid wearing a brace, and will instead switch to exercises that don’t subject the feet to impacts, such as swimming and use of a stationary bicycle. They may also be given non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication and be prescribed therapeutic stretches to rebuild the tendon’s strength. If more mild interventions fail, it may be necessary to surgically clean the tendon of inflamed synovial tissue. We can also provide customized orthotics so a patient can walk more comfortably.

Doctors David J. Hintz and Michael A. Wenowitz run Integrity Foot & Ankle Associates at 1740 Cooper Foster Park Road #B, Lorain, Ohio, 44053. To schedule an appointment, visit Integrity Foot and Ankle or call 440-282-1221.