Posterior Tibial Tendonitis... Anyone?

SeeShayRun
SeeShayRun Posts: 18
in Fitness and Exercise
I haven't been to doc yet but I think I may have this. I've had a tender spot on the inside of my ankle since November. Any other runners with this problem? Did shoe inserts help?

Replies

  • eating4me
    eating4me Posts: 239 Member
    Yes; I have it, and I ended up being diagnosed with Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome on top of it. Not fun. Orthotics did not help. The only thing that helped me was acupuncture. If I have a flare, I always get a treatment, and it has helped every time. It isn't covered by insurance, but for me, the cost is worth it for the pain relief & increased mobility.
  • Dottie27
    Dottie27 Posts: 159 Member
    I am not a runner, but I do have this condition.

    I hated the idea of custom inserts. They stayed in my drawer for over a year while I tried other types of over the counter inserts, but my condition worsened without them. I'll be seeing an exercise physiologist on Monday and will learn more about exercises that may help.

    I would recommend seeing a doctor. If it is posterior tibial tendonitis, my experience is that it will only get worse if you ignore it.
  • KeithAngilly
    KeithAngilly Posts: 575 Member
    this may help: http://www.kinetic-revolution.com/tibialis-posterior-strengthening-exercises/


    I am not a fan of artificial supports, but that's just me. I realize some folks swear by them.

    I would make sure you ice your feet after every run...especially as you start to stretch out the distances. It really helps. Just stick em' in a bucket of ice and water and feel the relief! :o)
  • SeeShayRun
    SeeShayRun Posts: 18
    What type of dr do you see for this?
  • LovenderNurse
    LovenderNurse Posts: 57 Member
    Yes, I have also had this problem, really messed up my running for a good month. It happens from not wearing shoes with adequate arch support. It takes about a month to get your muscles to heal, don't even attempt to run while the muscles are torn, it will be a hell unlike no other! Instead do squats and stretches while the muscles heal and get proper arch support for your feet, Asics are usually good for people with high arches.
  • LovenderNurse
    LovenderNurse Posts: 57 Member
    You can go see a podiatrist and get fitted for some very expensive shoes, or try the Asics just depends on what you are willing to spend. The podiatrist will charge about $200-300 for a pair of shoes or you can try aspics at around $100. I do not recommend the inserts, total waste of money in my opinion.
  • SeeShayRun
    SeeShayRun Posts: 18
    I'll def check into asics!
  • r524reed
    r524reed Posts: 74 Member
    Omg. I have had it since November. I haven't ran any since then. I go back to the dr the end of January. I feel as if I am about to lose my mind. I got custom inserts for my shoes. Also replaced my shoes with a different type. From what I have read it takes a long time to heal. It's really taking a toll on my metal state now as it still swells up and I feel I should be better by now.

    Btw I went to an orthopedic dr the best we have around here. They also specialize in sports medicine. Basically told to stay off of it as much as possible and taking anti-inflam meds too. No running or even walking, biking or anything.
  • mlb929
    mlb929 Posts: 1,974 Member
    I worked for a DPM for several years, too many fit you for expensive orthotics because they make a fortune on them. See your regular dr and get a referral to a physical therapist, you may have a stress fracture. You need someone to figure out the why as well so it doesn't keep happening. Try KT tape as well for some relief. I would also work of hip strength. If your hips are strong it helps keep knees and ankles in line with less stress on lower part of leg and ankle. Try adding cross training on one leg, plyometrics, or stability on a bosu ball...after you know it's not a stress fracture.
  • KeithAngilly
    KeithAngilly Posts: 575 Member
    I'll just throw this out there. It is generally agreed that our bodies cardiovascular capability improves faster than our bodies ability to withstand the rigors of running. Our tendons, ligaments and even bones take many months, even years to catch up. This is why we often hear the advice to slow down. I think we have been brainwashed a little by the shoe companies into thinking we can fix our problems with the right footwear. I am not discounting the fact that proper shoes are a must, but for the long term, I personally think focusing on proper mechanics and establishing a good running base will be of much better benefit over the long term.

    Be patient, be persistent and be kind to yourself. Let's face it, none of us going to be toeing the line at the Olympics any time soon. Give yourself plenty of recovery time. Having a very long term view will help avoid injury. Imho, of course. :happy:
  • Dottie27
    Dottie27 Posts: 159 Member
    I would see a physical therapist after general practioner.
  • Dottie27
    Dottie27 Posts: 159 Member
    Since this original post, I have seen a physical therapist who is already helping me. I wish I would have started with PT first. Also, I will be starting acupuncture, soon.
  • r524reed
    r524reed Posts: 74 Member
    Dottie, is your ptt any better? I have been fighting with this issue since November of 2013, and I am about to start walking, not running yet, but walking very slowly.....how is yours doing now? Have you made any progress?
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    Dottie, is your ptt any better? I have been fighting with this issue since November of 2013, and I am about to start walking, not running yet, but walking very slowly.....how is yours doing now? Have you made any progress?

    I have had this issue for a few years and it came to a head last fall when both of my posterior tibial tendons flared up at the same time and I could hardly walk from the bed to the bathroom.

    I ended up on some steroids for about a month and doing PT for about 12 weeks, along with orthopedic inserts for my day to day footwear. I'm all good now and haven't had a flare up since last September, but I've been told by my PT and Ortho to pretty much cease and desist long distance running. I only run maybe once every couple of weeks now, and only about 5K at that and have taken up cycling instead.

    My issues stem largely from the fact that I have very high arches and I am a supinator and this puts a ton of stress on my posterior tibial tendons...the pounding my feet take while I'm running just compounds that stress and it is one of the reasons most supinators don't really do long distance running.

    I was very reluctant to give up running at first, but I have to say I have really found a passion for riding so it might be something you want to look into.
  • FlowerFan
    FlowerFan Posts: 1 Member
    Posterior Tibial Tendonitis is a very serious condition. I had trouble believing that since for me it definitely was a pain that shouldn't be there, but it didn't hurt that much compared to say, an ankle sprain. Mine has progressed to where 3 doctors now have recommended surgery including 2 podiatrists and one orthopedic surgeon. They all say that once the tendon progresses to a certain point, the feeling is that it is degrading, develops micro tears, and will not recover.

    If you have a pain on the inside of your ankle, see a doctor right away, no matter how much or how little it hurts. The surgery, if necessary, is pretty drastic. If anyone has had success with it, I'd like to know because frankly, I'm concerned I may up more messed up than already I am. As it is, I'm told I can't play tennis anymore or any of the sports I enjoy. I've been inactive for almost 2 years now, and it feels a little better, but I'm told I'll have to continue a life of inactivity if I don't get it fixed.

    If you only have tendonitis, physical therapy may help. I first had this problem 8 years ago, treated it with Pt for 8 months and was able to return to activity. But now it's back with a vengence.

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