Tendinitis Specialist

Foot & Ankle of the Carolinas

Foot and Ankle Surgeons & Podiatrists located in Matthews, NC & Monroe, NC

Tendinitis causes pain, limits your ability to move, and when it goes untreated, the inflammation can lead to a total tendon rupture. At Foot & Ankle of the Carolinas, Eric Ward, DPM, and Blaise Woeste, DPM, have years of experience identifying the cause of tendinitis and providing individualized treatment to protect the tendon, support its ability to heal, and get you back into action as strong as ever. To get the help you need for foot or ankle pain, call one of the offices in Matthews or Monroe, North Carolina, or schedule an appointment online.

Tendinitis Q & A

What is tendinitis?

Tendinitis refers to inflammation of any tendon in your body. Tendons connect each muscle to a bone, a quality that makes them essential for movement. Tendinitis may occur following an injury, but the problem is more likely to develop due to repetitive movement.

As you frequently or vigorously use the same tendons, they develop microtears. Resting between periods of intense activity gives these tears time to heal. But when the tears don’t heal, they get worse and cause inflammation or tendinitis.

What types of tendinitis affect my feet and ankles?

These are four types of tendonitis often treated by the team at Foot & Ankle of the Carolinas:

Achilles tendinitis

The Achilles tendon attaches the calf muscle to the heel bone. Achilles tendonitis usually occurs due to overuse of the tendon or when you suddenly increase your activity, putting too much stress on the tendon too quickly.

Posterior tibial tendinitis

The posterior tibial tendon is on the inside of your ankle. When it becomes inflamed, you’ll experience problems like inner foot and ankle pain or an unsteady gait. Untreated posterior tibial tendinitis progresses to affect the arch and cause flatfoot.

Peroneal tendinitis

The peroneal tendons stabilize your foot and ankle, helping to prevent ankle sprains. The tendon may become inflamed due to overuse, injury, or when you have high arches.

Foot extensor tendinitis

This type of tendinitis is different from the others because it develops from friction or compression due to poor-fitting shoes. The tendon runs across the top of your foot, so that’s where you feel the pain when it’s inflamed.

What symptoms develop due to tendinitis?

No matter which tendon is affected, you’ll experience one or more of these symptoms:

Pain
Stiffness
Swelling
Tenderness when touched
Weakness or instability
Inability to bear weight on the foot

In most cases, your symptoms appear gradually, unless the tendon tears. Then you’ll have immediate and intense pain.

How is tendinitis treated?

The team at Foot & Ankle of the Carolinas customizes your treatment. However, the most important step is to rest the tendon. It’s essential to give it time to heal. Your podiatrist may also prescribe any of these treatments to support healing and reduce inflammation:

Immobilization
Bracing
Physical therapy
Customized orthotics
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
Corticosteroid injections
Stem cell therapy

A ruptured tendon may need surgery with one of the board-certified ABFAS foot surgeons to repair the injury and ensure you regain optimal strength and function.

To get immediate help for tendinitis, call Foot & Ankle of the Carolinas or schedule an appointment online.

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