^

Health

A
A
A

Tendinitis of the foot

 
, medical expert
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
 
Fact-checked
х

All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.

We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.

If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.

Tendinitis of the foot is an inflammatory process in the tendon, when the plantar muscles and the posterior tibial muscle, which connects the tibia and fibula and holds the arch of the foot, are involved in the process.

Typically, it is accompanied by painful sensations during active sports, walking, jumping and when lifting heavy loads.

Causes of foot tendonitis

Tendinitis often occurs as a result of trauma or increased motor activity with constant load on the foot and calf muscles. With regular and significant load, tendon fibers and cartilage in the areas of muscle attachment are subject to degenerative-dystrophic damage.

As a result of acquired tissue ischemia, zones of necrotic damage are formed, tendon and cartilaginous tissue are structurally degenerated, and their partial mineralization occurs. Microtraumas of tendon fibers are accompanied by deposition of mineral salts at the site of injury: a fairly dense calcification formation develops, which can increase traumatization of nearby tissues.

Degeneration and calcification of cartilage tissue contributes to the formation of osteophytes and bone growths.

Pathological processes in tendons signal increased load on them. This often happens to athletes and physically active people.

Rheumatoid diseases and joint inflammation can also provoke the development of foot tendonitis.

Tendinitis can occur as a result of long-term flat feet.

trusted-source[ 1 ], [ 2 ], [ 3 ], [ 4 ], [ 5 ]

Symptoms of tendonitis of the foot

Symptoms of foot tendonitis can be subtle or very noticeable:

  • painful sensations of varying intensity when loading a certain tendon, while other movements of the foot do not cause pain;
  • visible redness of the skin, possible increase in local temperature in the affected area of tissue;
  • a crunching sound in the tendon, which can be heard both externally and through a phonendoscope;
  • pain in the lower part of the leg can be felt by palpation;
  • Often tendonitis develops against the background of an inflammatory process of the nerve trunks;
  • slight swelling of the tissues of the foot and lower leg;
  • discomfort when pressing on the heel and bending the foot.

Wearing uncomfortable shoes and wearing high heels significantly aggravate the discomfort in the back of the leg. The pain is especially pronounced when walking and trying to stand "on tiptoes". The discomfort is aggravated in the morning when getting out of bed, after a long period of immobility of the lower limbs, and may be accompanied by swelling of the skin in the area of the Achilles tendon.

In chronic tendinitis, clinical manifestations may be permanent.

Where does it hurt?

Diagnosis of tendonitis of the foot

Diagnosis of foot tendonitis is made based on the patient's history and visual examination.

The examination involves palpating the lower leg, especially in the area of the Achilles tendon. There may be some tenderness, but it is most important to rule out tendon damage and measure the flexion range of the foot.

In case of direct rupture of tendon fibers, swelling of the lower part of the leg and foot should be noticeable, pronounced hemorrhage into soft tissues may be observed. If a hollow formation is found along the tendon, this may be the site of the rupture. With significant swelling, it is quite difficult to find it.

X-ray examination of tendinitis of the foot is uninformative, it can only indicate the presence of calcification. An alternative method is ultrasound diagnostics, which provides visual access to the soft tissues of the lower extremities and tendon. This is a less expensive method compared to MRI.

Magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography allow the doctor to see the full picture of the damage more clearly, visualizing each section of tissue layer by layer.

trusted-source[ 6 ], [ 7 ]

What do need to examine?

Treatment of tendonitis of the foot

Treatment of foot tendonitis, depending on the severity of the process, may include:

  • immobilization of the foot or ankle joint using bandages, bandages, splints. The limb should be provided with absolute rest;
  • prescription of anti-inflammatory drugs that significantly alleviate the patient's general condition. Oral administration of drugs, injections, and external use of various ointments and compresses are possible. This therapy is usually prescribed for a period of no more than 14 days; longer use of non-steroidal drugs is undesirable due to the adverse effect on the gastrointestinal tract;
  • prescribing antimicrobial agents for infectious tendonitis;
  • the use of physiotherapy at the final stage of tendonitis treatment (high-frequency, microwave therapy);
  • the use of massage procedures, elements of therapeutic gymnastics (yoga, gentle exercises that stretch and warm up the muscles);
  • If conservative treatment is ineffective, surgical intervention may be used, which involves surgical excision of aponeuroses and affected tissues.

Conservative treatment of the inflammatory process in the tendon is quite long, up to two months, and in case of surgical intervention – up to six months.

Traditional methods of treating inflammation of the tendons of the foot include mainly anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects:

  • compresses from strong saline solution;
  • lotions from a decoction of bird cherry fruits;
  • massage the affected area of the foot with ice cubes, especially effective immediately after an injury;
  • internal use of ginger infusion, as well as turmeric as an effective anti-inflammatory agent;
  • using tincture from walnut partitions (a glass of raw material per 0.5 liters of 40% vodka, leave for two weeks in a dark place, take orally).

Prevention of foot tendonitis

Preventing foot tendinitis in healthy individuals is not particularly difficult. When choosing shoes, it is necessary to pay attention to their comfort and the absence of discomfort when walking and moving. During active sports, it is unacceptable to use ordinary everyday shoes - for this, there are special sports models with reliable fixation of the ankle joint, with an adequate last.

Women should be very careful when wearing shoes with unstable heels.

In case of prolonged foot tension, contrast baths and massage procedures usually help.

If there are signs of flat feet, it is recommended to wear shoes with special inserts - insoles, which support the arch of the foot and cushion shocks.

Immediately before training, you should not allow sudden movements of the joints without first warming up the muscles by stretching.

Swimming exercises are great for strengthening the calf muscles while being gentle on the joints and tendons.

Prognosis of foot tendonitis

The prognosis for foot tendonitis that was diagnosed in time and adequately treated is often favorable. Medication is usually quite effective. The rehabilitation period after conservative therapy is about one month. If the doctor's recommendations are followed and the underlying cause of the pathological condition is eliminated, tendonitis relapses are unlikely.

After surgery, the injured limb is usually immobilized for up to two months. After full recovery, the patient returns to their previous full life, trying to reduce the load on the ankle joint as much as possible.

Athletes follow a specially developed rehabilitation program with a gradual increase in load, which is monitored by a specialist. After about six months, the athlete can return to standard training sessions.

Inflammation of the tendons, complicated by the addition of a purulent infection, can leave behind some limitations in the motor functions of the foot.

Forced wearing of hard uncomfortable shoes and high heels, injuries of ligaments and joints contribute to the development of the inflammatory process in the tendon. In order to prevent tendonitis of the foot, it is necessary to strengthen the calf muscles and prevent possible trauma to the ankle joint area.

trusted-source[ 8 ], [ 9 ]

You are reporting a typo in the following text:
Simply click the "Send typo report" button to complete the report. You can also include a comment.