Tendonitis

Tendonitis refers to inflammation that can affect any tendon in your body. Though tendonitis can occur after an injury, the condition most often develops due to activities and health conditions such as:

• Performing repetitive movements
• Engaging in excessive training
• Increasing the duration or intensity of your exercise routine
• Developing an inflammatory condition
• Developing calcium deposits on the tendon
• Wearing tight shoes

When you frequently make the same movements, your tendons develop tiny tears. If you rest between your activities, the tears heal. Without time to heal, the small tears get worse, and inflammation develops. Then you have tendonitis.

Innovation Medical Group frequently treats the following types of tendonitis:

Achilles tendonitis
The Achilles tendon connects the calf muscle to your heel, where it lifts your heel and helps you push off the ground. This tendon often becomes inflamed due to overuse or suddenly increasing your activity level. Runners are especially susceptible to Achilles tendonitis.

Posterior tibial tendonitis
The posterior tibial tendon attaches the calf muscle to bones on the inside of your foot, where it holds up your arch. When inflammation affects this tendon, your arch slowly collapses.

Peroneal tendonitis
Your peroneal tendons stabilize your ankle and help prevent ankle sprains. The tendon often becomes inflamed due to injuries, overuse, and the stress of high arches.

Foot extensor tendonitis
Foot extensor tendonitis comes from friction or pressure caused by poor-fitting shoes.

The different types of tendonitis cause symptoms such as:

• Pain
• Stiffness
• Unstable gait
• Limited movement
• Tenderness when touched
• Weakness or instability
• Inability to bear weight

The pain may affect your heel, ankle, or the bottom or top of your foot, depending on the location of the inflamed tendon.

The podiatrists at Innovation Medical Group customize each person’s treatment. However, everyone needs to rest the injured tendon. Your provider may also use treatments such as:

• Bracing
• Immobilization (walking boot or short leg cast)
• Physical therapy
• Customized orthotics
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
• Corticosteroid injections

Long-lasting inflammation gradually weakens the tendon, potentially leading to a complete tear (rupture). If your tendon ruptures, your provider may recommend tendon reconstruction surgery to repair and strengthen the tendon.