Tendinopathy is an injury to the tendon. It can cause pain, swelling, and limit movement. The injuries can include:
The tendinopathy is caused by overuse of the posterior tibialis tendon. This most often occurs due to:
Factors that increase your chance of posterior tibial tendinopathy include:
Symptoms may include:
The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done, paying special attention to the foot. Pain in the ankle and foot can be due to many causes. Posterior tibialis tendinopathy can be difficult to diagnose.
The doctor will try to feel the tendon through your skin. He/she will note how the foot moves and handles resistance to moving the foot inwards. The doctor will look at the foot from behind and from the side and see how flat the arch is. You may be asked to try to stand on the ball of your foot. If you cannot do this you are likely to have a problem with your posterior tibial tendon.
To confirm changes in your foot and exclude other causes, your doctor may order:
The goals of treatment are to:
You may be referred to an orthopedic specialist. Early treatment and correction of the underlying cause improves the prognosis. Treatment may include:
To help prevent posterior tibialis tendinopathy, practice good foot care:
RESOURCES:
American Academy of Family Physicians
http://www.aafp.org/
American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
http://www.aapmr.org/
American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society
http://www.aofas.org/
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Canadian Orthopaedic Association
http://www.coa-aco.org/
Canadian Orthopaedic Foundation
http://www.canorth.org/
References:
Campbell's Operative Orthopaedics. 10th ed. Mosby Inc.; 2003.
Campbell's Operative Orthopaedics. 9th ed. Mosby Inc.; 1998.
Posterior tibialis tendinopathy. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/what.php . Updated June 2008. Accessed May 11, 2009.
Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 6th ed. Mosby-Year Book, Inc.; 2006.
Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 4th ed. Mosby-Year Book, Inc.; 1998.
Kelley's Textbook of Rheumatology. 7th ed. WB Saunders Co.; 2005.
Kelley's Textbook of Rheumatology. 6th ed. W.B. Saunders Co.; 2001.
Pediatric and adolescent sports injuries. Clinics in Sports Medicine. 2000.
Textbook of Primary Care Medicine . 3rd ed. Mosby Inc; 2001.
Last reviewed November 2008 by John C. Keel, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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