Arch

Posterior Tibial Tendinopathy

The posterior tibial tendon plays an important role in stabilising the arch of your foot. Injuries to this tendon have the potential to develop into a chronic condition, known as adult acquired flatfoot. However, with early intervention this can be prevented.

What is Posterior Tibial Tendinopathy

The tibialis posterior muscle is located behind your calf muscle and attaches directly to the back of your shin. The tendon of this muscle works like a spring to store and return energy when you are walking and running.

However, it can become overloaded due to a rapid increase in your training load, reduced muscle strength or as your shoes become worn, which places greater strain on the tendon. This can lead to the development of inflammation around the tendon, which can progress to Tendinopathy.

What are the symptoms of Posterior Tibial Tendinopathy

The symptoms of posterior tibial tendinopathy will occur with activity and reduce when you rest. You will typically experience pain on the inside of your ankle just below the bone, and over time your pain may progress to the outside of your ankle. Your symptoms can be exacerbated when walking or running on uneven surfaces.

In addition to the pain, you may notice a lowering of your arch on the affected side and may even struggle to turn your foot inwards.

How is Posterior Tibial Tendinopathy treated?

Your treatment will initially focus on reducing the strain on the tendon to allow healing to occur and reduce the risk of your injury progressing to an adult-acquired flat foot.

Your initial treatment may encompass treatments such as taping, activity modification or orthoses depending on the severity of your tendinopathy.

As your symptoms begin to settle, we will work with you to improve your muscle and tendon tolerance to load through a progressive strengthening exercise program.

What else could it be?
  • Tarsal tunnel syndrome
  • Adult-acquired flatfoot
  • Medial ankle sprain
  • Plantar fasciopathy
  • Achilles tendinopathy
  • Flexor hallucis longus tendinopathy
  • Accessory navicular

Plantar Fasciopathy (Plantar Fasciitis)

The plantar fascia is a strong band of tissue that assists with controlling the height of your arch. Injuries to this strong band of fascia are the most common cause of pain in the heel, with 1 in 10 people experiencing this pain at least once in their lifetime! 

What is Plantar Fasciopathy

The plantar fascia is a thick band of connective tissue, which links the heel bone to the ball of the foot, and helps maintain the stability of your arch. Plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of pain in the feet. It is a commonly held belief that the cause of the pain is due to inflammation, however, research has shown this not to be the case.

The symptoms are now believed to be the result of increased strain placed on the arch due to alterations in joint range, muscle strength and training loads. This is why you may have heard it called plantar fasciopathy or just heel pain.

What are the symptoms of Plantar Fasciopathy?

The characteristic sign of plantar fasciopathy is a pain in the heel when you get out of bed in the morning. The pain is usually localised to the heel but may extend into your arch.

Your symptoms generally reduce once you start moving, but return towards the end of the day or after periods of rest.

How is Plantar Fasciopathy treated?

Your treatment will involve reducing your symptoms through the use of soft tissue techniques, taping and load modification.

These techniques are used in conjunction with exercises to improve your joint range of motion and muscle strength.

What else could it be?
  • Posterior tibial tendinopathy
  • Baxter’s neuritis
  • Arch strain
  • Calcaneal fracture
  • Fat pad contusion

we treat whatever life throws at you.

Use the interactive foot model to help identify your concern:

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