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 new way to treat MSK.
How Shockwave Therapy helps with Tibialis Posterior Tendinopathy (TPT).
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
TPT 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 TPT, 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.
Take your recovery to the next level with scientifically proven Shockwave technology. Shockwave Therapy is clinically proven and well approved by top orthopedics and is now used by well established professional sports bodies, such as elite Premier League Football and Rugby Union clubs.