Posterior Tibial Tendonitis

Do you feel a sharp pain behind your ankle, across your arch and along the bottom of your foot? Posterior tibial tendonitis is what doctors call the inflammation of the tendon that helps keep your foot arch up. It usually results from an overuse injury.

The posterior tibial tendon causes supination — or turns the foot inward. A foot where the arch falls excessively will force the posterior tibial tendon to oppose this motion. With excessive use, the tendon will become inflamed and sometimes tear or completely rupture.

How Footwear Can Help

Properly fitting shoes with an orthotic insert to reduce pronation is the best long-term solution. Icing the area after the injury can help reduce the discomfort, but the area will need physical rehabilitation and treatment to avoid turning into a chronic condition.

When a complete rupture of the posterior tibial tendon occurs, the arch will collapse and surgical correction will be required. See a podiatrist for an exact diagnosis of your arch pain.

Properly fitting shoes with an orthotic insert to reduce pronation is the best long-term solution.