When you have an issue with your foot, every step can make you wince from the pain. It can be tempting to just wait it out or grin and bear it. However, the right treatment options can significantly improve conditions like tendinitis in the foot.
When a tendon becomes irritated or inflamed, it’s referred to as tendinitis, which is also known as tendinopathy when it becomes chronic. Tendinitis can develop in nearly any tendon throughout the body, including the foot, and can be caused by overuse or excessive stress on the tendon.
Having tendinitis in the foot can result in pain, stiffness and swelling. These symptoms can make it challenging to carry out everyday activities. The good news is that there are several physical therapy treatments that can reduce your symptoms. Learn what solutions can get you back on your feet (literally).
4 treatments used by physical therapists for tendinitis in the foot
A physical therapist can help reduce the symptoms of your foot tendinitis while also improving the overall quality of the affected muscles and joints to reduce the risk of future issues. They will design a personalized treatment plan with a variety of solutions that can alleviate your pain while improving the strength, function and mobility of the entire area.
Tendinitis can actually develop in multiple areas throughout the foot: For example, there’s posterior tibialis tendinitis on the inside or back of the ankle, while peroneal tendonitis develops on the outside of the ankle. There’s also Achilles tendinitis, which can be felt in the heel. The location of the tendinitis will play a role in how your physical therapist treats the condition.
Here are four physical therapy treatments that can improve tendinitis in the foot:
- Therapeutic exercises — One of the pillars of any physical therapy treatment plan is exercises. When it comes to foot tendinitis, your physical therapist can guide you through exercises to strengthen the affected muscles and tendons. The goal is to increase the ankle and arch support. Common strengthening exercises for the foot include resisted ankle eversions and toe raises. There are also stretches to improve the area’s flexibility and range of motion. Examples include toe pull stretches and heel raises.
- Joint mobilization — Many foot conditions, including tendinitis, can benefit from a manual therapy technique called joint mobilization. Your physical therapist will use their hands to gently move around the ankle joint to find and alleviate the tight tissue restricting its mobility. This can not only reduce the pain caused by the inflammation, but also improve the area’s function and range of motion.
- Support recommendations — When it comes to foot conditions like tendinitis, supportive footwear can go a long way. Your physical therapist can recommend orthotics, compression socks or arch supports that can reduce the stress placed on your tendon. These can help reduce the risk of worsening the symptoms when you’re standing and walking.
- Education — By learning about the habits that can contribute to your foot problems, such as tendinitis, you can reduce the risk of future problems by incorporating the right lifestyle changes into your day-to-day routine. Your physical therapist can help you learn which changes would be the most beneficial for your condition. This may include taking breaks when standing for extended periods of time as well as ergonomic changes to your workspace.
The importance of seeking physical therapy treatment for foot tendinitis at Forever Fit
Tendinitis in the foot can range in severity. It could cause a mild ache that will get better in a few weeks with the right treatment. But you could also have a severe case of inflammation that may take a few months to heal. It’s possible that some cases of foot tendinitis will require surgery, which requires physical therapy for rehabilitation to restore gait and reduce painful scar tissue.
The reason why physical therapy can be so effective for tendinitis of the foot is because it can provide long-term benefits that go beyond reduced pain. With the right exercises and support, your physical therapist can improve the overall quality of your ankle and foot. They can help reduce the risk of future pain and concerns. They can also optimize the area’s strength and range of motion for improved function of the affected muscles and joints. This can be especially impactful for exercise and sports.
At Forever Fit, we make sure that we tailor your treatment plan specifically to the cause and severity of your foot tendinitis as well as your medical history and physical capabilities.
Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.