What is tendonitis of the ankle or foot?
Foot or ankle tendonitis (also known as tendinitis) is inflammation of a tendon in the foot or ankle. Your ankle is one of the most common places to develop tendonitis because of the common repetitive motion in the joint area.
Types of tendonitis of the foot or ankle
- Peroneal tendonitis — pain and inflammation along the outer edge of the heel.
- Achilles tendonitis — causes heel and calf pain, typically felt when walking or running, extending all the way up to the middle of the calf.
- Extensor tendonitis — causes pain on the top of the foot, a very rare type of ankle tendonitis.
- Anterior tibial tendonitis — causes pain on the front of your foot, typically felt when walking down stairs or on sloped surfaces.
- Posterior tibial tendonitis — pain and inflammation on the inner portion of the ankle (under the protruding bone), can contribute to flat foot.
Causes of tendonitis of the ankle or foot
The most common cause of foot or ankle tendonitis is overuse.
Other causes of foot and ankle tendonitis include:
- An infection in the ankle or foot
- Rheumatic disease such as gout or arthritis
- A foot or ankle injury such as a sprain
Risk factors for tendonitis of the ankle or foot
Risk factors for tendonitis in the foot or ankle include:
- Sports that require repetitive movement
- Sports that may lead to overuse of the ankle such as running
- People over 40 are more likely to have tendonitis in the foot or ankle
- Men are more likely to develop tendonitis in the foot or ankle
- People who are overweight are more likely to develop tendonitis in the foot or ankle
- People who wear worn out shoes that do not support the feet are more likely to develop tendonitis in the foot or ankle
- Previous injuries to the tendons in the foot or ankle
Symptoms of tendonitis of the ankle or foot
The most common symptoms of foot or ankle tendonitis are localized pain, swelling, and stiffness.
Pain is the first sign of foot or ankle tendonitis. The pain typically lessens over time but then resurfaces the longer you spend on the foot or ankle.
You should schedule an appointment with your primary care doctor, a podiatrist or an orthopedic specialist if pain and swelling worsen even after resting.
Diagnosis of tendonitis of the ankle or foot
Foot or ankle tendonitis is diagnosed under the care of your primary care provider, podiatrist, orthopedist or sports medicine physician. The physician will do a full physical exam and take your medical history.
Your physician may order an x-ray or MRI to determine if the injury is more severe. Fractures, tendon ruptures and calcifications require alternative treatments.
Treatments for tendonitis of the ankle or foot
Treatments for foot or ankle tendonitis range from rest, injections to surgery depending on the severity of the injury.
Treatments may include:
- Orthotics
- Splint or brace
- Physical therapy & rehabilitation
- Prescription medication
- Steroid injection
- Tendon transfer surgery
- Ultrasound-guided nerve hydrodissection
- Ultrasound-guided percutaneous needle tenotomy (PNT)
Recovery from tendonitis of the ankle or foot
Recovery from tendonitis tends to be a slow process. If the patient does not follow the physician’s orders to rest the impacted area the recovery time can be extended.
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FAQs
Foot or ankle tendonitis (also known as tendinitis) is inflammation of a tendon in the foot or ankle. Your ankle is one of the most common places to develop tendonitis because of the common repetitive motion in the joint area.
How do you treat tendonitis in ankle and foot? ›
Many people find that they get very good results and relief from pain with the following non-surgical treatments:
- Activity modification.
- Anti-inflammatory medications.
- Corticosteroid injection.
- Custom bracing.
- Custom orthotics (shoe inserts)
- Icing the area.
- Physical therapy.
Summary. Tendonitis causes pain and swelling in the tendons of your foot and ankle. There are several types of tendonitis, each affecting different parts of the ankle or foot. Tendonitis can be caused by overuse, injury, foot problems, and some medical conditions—and often it's a combination of these factors.
Is it OK to walk with ankle tendonitis? ›
You can continue to walk with ankle tendonitis, but it is best to restrict this to 45 minutes before taking a rest of up to 15 minutes to allow your ankle to recover.
What can be mistaken for tendonitis? ›
Tendonitis can be confused with a muscle strain. The way to distinguish between the two is that with a muscle strain, the pain is felt in the muscle itself, whereas in tendonitis, the pain is felt near where the muscle attaches to the bone. Don't be fooled by the myth of “no pain, no gain” exercise approach.
Does ankle tendonitis ever go away? ›
Peroneal tendonitis is irritation or inflammation in the tendons that run along the outside of your ankle and foot. It's usually due to overexertion and typically heals with a few weeks of conservative treatments. But untreated tendonitis can get worse, leading to a tendon tear.
Should you walk with foot tendonitis? ›
Rest: Stop physical activity to avoid further damaging the tendons in your foot. Ice: Put an ice pack or cold compress on your foot for up to 20 minutes at a time. Don't apply ice directly to your skin. Compression: Reduce swelling by applying a compression bandage or wrap around the injured tendon.
What are the 4 symptoms of tendonitis? ›
The main symptoms of tendonitis are:
- pain in a tendon that gets worse when you move.
- difficulty moving the joint.
- feeling a grating or crackling sensation when you move the tendon.
- swelling, sometimes with heat or redness.
If left untreated, tendonitis could lead to: Chronic tendonitis (a constant, dull pain when you move). Difficulty or inability to move the affected part of your body. Torn tendons (tendon rupture).
How long does it take for ankle tendonitis to heal? ›
The pain of tendonitis often goes away in 3-6 weeks. However, it can take anywhere from 6 weeks to 6 months in some cases. Healing tendonitis often takes longer if the tendon is not given a chance to rest.
As you return to activity, your doctor may suggest orthotics or an ankle brace to help support your Achilles tendon and to prevent the condition from reoccurring. The Aircast Airheel offers support for Achilles Tendinitis. It helps cushion the Achilles while providing pulsating compression to reduce swelling.
Why won't my ankle tendonitis go away? ›
Chronic tendonitis is often defined by the tendon pain lasting more than 6 weeks, and the condition is referred to as tendinosis. Tendinosis is thought to be mainly caused by degeneration of the tendon. In order to effectively treat and resolve tendinosis, you must stimulate regeneration of the affected tendon.
Should you massage ankle tendonitis? ›
Since tendonitis can take weeks to heal, using a massage therapy program to both relax and strengthen the inflamed tendon can give the sufferer a better chance of a full and speedy recovery.
What are 3 common symptoms of tendonitis? ›
Symptoms may include:
- Pain in the tendon when moved.
- Swelling from fluid and inflammation.
- A grating feeling when moving the joint.
Heat may be more helpful for chronic tendon pain, often called tendinopathy or tendinosis. Heat can increase blood flow, which may help promote healing of the tendon. Heat also relaxes muscles, which can relieve pain.
Why do I suddenly have tendonitis? ›
Tendinitis can occur as a result of injury or overuse. Playing sports is a common cause. Tendinitis also can occur with aging as the tendon loses elasticity. Body-wide (systemic) diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis or diabetes, can also lead to tendinitis.
What is the fastest way to heal tendonitis in the foot? ›
Rest: try to avoid moving the tendon for 2 to 3 days. Ice: put an ice pack (or try a bag of frozen peas) wrapped in a tea towel on the tendon for up to 20 minutes every 2 to 3 hours. Support: wrap an elastic bandage around the area, use a tube bandage, or use a soft brace. You can buy these from pharmacies.
What makes ankle tendonitis worse? ›
Peroneal tendinopathy is a condition that often causes pain around the outside of the ankle or foot which eases with rest and worsens with activity such as walking, running and jumping.
