Posterior tibial tendonitis: Specialist Treatment in Highams Park
Posterior tibial tendonitis is a common but often underdiagnosed cause of pain along the inside of the ankle and foot. The tibialis posterior tendon plays a vital role in supporting the arch of your foot and stabilising your gait. When this tendon becomes overloaded, often due to long-distance running or improper footwear, it can lead to persistent pain, swelling, and even adult-acquired flatfoot deformity.
Common symptoms of Posterior tibial tendonitis.
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Medial Ankle Pain: Aching or burning pain behind the inner ankle bone (medial malleolus).
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Arch Collapse: A visible flattening of the foot's arch as the tendon loses its ability to provide support.
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Difficulty with Heel Raises: Pain or weakness when trying to stand on your tiptoes.
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Morning Stiffness: Significant discomfort during your first few steps in the morning.
What are the main causes of Posterior tibial tendonitis?
1. Repetitive Stress and Overuse
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High-Impact Activities: Frequent long-distance running, jumping, or sports like football place immense strain on the tendon as it works to stabilize the foot.
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Training Errors: Rapidly increasing mileage or intensity for events like a marathon without allowing the tendon to adapt is a leading cause of inflammation.
2. Biomechanical Factors
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Flat Feet (Pes Planus): People with naturally low arches place more "pull" on the posterior tibial tendon to hold the arch up, leading to chronic wear and tear.
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Inappropriate Footwear: Wearing shoes that lack proper arch support or cushioning during physical activity can force the tendon to overwork.
3. Degenerative and Health Factors
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Age and Gender: Wear and tear naturally increase with age; symptoms often begin to manifest around age 55, and it is more common in women.
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Pre-existing Conditions: Conditions such as obesity, diabetes, and hypertension can impair blood flow to the tendon, making it more susceptible to injury and slower to heal.
4. Acute Trauma
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Direct Injury: A sudden fall or a direct blow to the inside of the ankle can cause an acute tear or inflammation of the tendon.
We can speed up your recovery from injury with a combination of Myofascial release, Radial and Focused Shockwave Therapy within the same sessions.
Depending on whether it is Acute or Chronic, 3 - 6 sessions are generally required for most people to gain complete pain relief and make a full recovery from Tibialis Posterior Tendinopathy (TPT).
The effective way - to treat MSK.
How Shockwave Therapy helps with Posterior Tibial Tendonitis.
1. Stimulates tendon healing
Shockwave therapy sends high-energy acoustic waves into the injured tendon.
This triggers:
Microtrauma that stimulates the body’s repair process. An increased cell activity (tenocytes) in the tendon. Production of collagen, which strengthens the tendon. Over time this helps the degenerative tendon rebuild stronger tissue.
2. Improves blood supply
PTT often involves poor circulation around the tendon.
Shockwave therapy promotes: Neovascularization (growth of new blood vessels). Improved oxygen and nutrient delivery to the damaged area and a better blood flow to speed up tissue repair and recovery.
3. Reduces chronic pain
Shockwaves can reduce pain through several mechanisms: Desensitising pain nerve endings. Reducing substance P (a pain-related neurotransmitter). Interrupting the chronic pain cycle. Many patients feel gradual pain reduction after 2–4 sessions.
4. Breaks down degenerative tissue
In chronic cases of PTT, the tendon can develop: Fibrotic tissue. Small calcifications. Disorganised collagen. Shockwave therapy helps disrupt this unhealthy tissue, allowing the body to replace it with healthier tendon fibers.
Why choose Rich & Cher Pearson at The Shockwave Therapy Clinic?
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Elite technology: We use the Storz Medical Focused Shockwave system - the gold standard used by Premier League football clubs and elite athletes worldwide.
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Decades of experience: You aren't just getting a treatment; you are getting 25 years of clinical diagnostic skill (See our feedback)
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Local and personal: We are a dedicated East London clinic. Rich and Cher provide a private, professional, and patient-focused environment right here in Highams Park.
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Proven results: Whether you are looking to return to sport or seeking a discreet solution for ED, our evidence-based approach is designed to get you results fast.
Frequently Asked Questions about Shockwave for Posterior Tibial Tendonitis
How does Focused Shockwave therapy treat Posterior Tibial Tendonitis?
Focused Shockwave Therapy targets the tendon as it curves around the medial malleolus (inner ankle bone). The treatment stimulates a biological response that increases blood flow to this notoriously "poorly vascularised" area, accelerating the repair of micro-tears and reducing chronic inflammation in the tendon sheath.
Can Shockwave Therapy help prevent my arches from collapsing?
Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction (PTTD) is the leading cause of "acquired flat foot." While Shockwave cannot physically change the bone structure, by strengthening and repairing the tendon that supports your arch, we can help maintain your foot’s structural integrity and prevent further degradation of the arch.
How many sessions are needed for inner ankle tendonitis?
A standard course involves 3 to 6 sessions. In our Highams Park clinic, many patients report a significant reduction in "morning stiffness" and arch pain after just 2 sessions. Completing the full course at our London E4 clinic is vital for long-term tendon remodeling, especially if you are returning to high-impact sports.
Can I wear orthotics during my Shockwave treatment course?
Yes, absolutely. We often recommend using your orthotics alongside Focused Shockwave Therapy to provide mechanical support to the arch while the technology works on the biological repair. We recommend 48 hours of relative rest after each session before returning to your full training or walking schedule.