Posterior Tibial Tendonitis - Page 1 of 3 - What it is, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment

Oct 12, 2026

Posterior tibial tendonitis is inflammation of the posterior tibial tendon, causing pain along the inner side of the lower leg, ankle, or foot. It often develops from overuse and strain, especially when the arch flattens and over-pronation occurs during walking or running. Diagnosis is based on symptom review, physical examination, and tests for tenderness and over-pronation. Treatment may include ice, elevation, orthotics, taping, possible immobilization, medication, and rehabilitation exercises.

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What is posterior tibial tendonitis?

How does it occur?

What are the symptoms?

How is it diagnosed?

How is it treated?

Posterior Tibial Tendonitis

When can I return to my sport or activity?

Posterior Tibial Tendonitis Rehabilitation Exercises

Towel stretch

Standing calf stretch

Heel raises

Resisted inversion

Static and dynamic balance exercises

LEG # What is posterior tibial tendonitis? Posterior tibialtendonitiscausespainalong the innerrside ofthelower leg,ankleor foot.Tendons are stronngbands of connective tissue which attach muscles tobones.The posterior tibial tendon helps point the foototdown and in.Tendonitis is inflammation of a tendon.n. ## How does it occur? Posterior tibial tendonitis occurs from overuse of theetendon.This tendon attaches to a bone in the footcalled the navicular and helps stabilize your arch.Ifyour arch flattens out more than normal when youwalk or run it is called over-pronation.When youover-pronate you strain your tendon and are morelikely to get posterior tibial tendonitis. ## What are the symptoms? Symptoms include: ▶ pain or tenderness on the inner side of the shin,ankle or foot ▶ pain with lifting up your foot ▶ pain walking or running. ## How is it diagnosed? Your health care provider will review yoursymptoms and examine your leg,ankle and foot.Your foot will be tender along the tendon andwhere it attaches to the navicular bone.You maybe asked to walk or run to see if you over-pronate. ## Howis it treated? Treatment may include: ▶Applying ice packs to your foot for 20 to 30minutes every 3 to 4 hours for the first 2 to 3days or until the pain goes away.Thereafter,iceyour foot at least once a day until the othersymptoms are gone. Doing ice massage.Freeze water in a cup andthen peel back the top of the cup.Massage theice into the painful tendon for 5 to 10 minutes. POSTERIOR TIBIAL TENDONITIS ■ PAGE 1 OF 3 # Posterior Tibial Tendonitis Elevating your lower leg and foot by placing apillow underneath it.Try to keep your foot abovethe level of your heart. ▶Your provider may recommend special archsupports or inserts for you shoes called orthoticseither custom-made or off the shelf. Taping your foot to give extra support to your arch,the navicular bone and the attachment of theposterior tibial tendon. Sometimes a cast is needed for a few weeks until thepain and inflammation go away. Using crutches until you can walk without pain. Taking anti-inflammatory medication or other painmedication prescribed by your provider. ▶Doing exercises to improve your tendon strengthand flexibility.The exercises will helpyou return toyour normal activity or sports. # When canlreturn tomy sport oractivity? The goal of rehabilitation is to return you to yoursport or activity as soon as is safely possible.If youretun too soon you may worsen your injury,whichcould lead to long-term damage.Everyone recoversfrom injury at a different rate.Return to your sport or activity will be determined by how soon your injuredtendon recovers,not by how many days or weeks ithas been since your injury occured.In general,thelonger you have symptoms before you start treat-ment,the longer it willtake to get better. ▶You can sprint straight ahead without pain orlimping. You can do 45-degree cuts,first at half-speed,then at full-speed. You can do 20-yard figures-of-eight,first at half- You may safely return to your sport or activitywhen,starting from the top of the list and progress-ing to the end,each of the following is true: speed,then at full-speed. ▶ You can do 90-degree cuts,first at half-speed,then at full-speed. Youhave full range of motion in the injured leg andfoot compared to the uninjured leg and foot. ▶You can do 10-yard figures-of-eight first at half- speed,then at full-speed. You have full strength of the injured leg and footcompared to the uninjured leg and foot. ▶ You can jump on both legs without pain and youcan jump on the injured leg without pain. ▶You can jog straight ahead without pain or limping. # Posterior Tibial Tendonitis Rehabilitation Exercises 1.TOWEL STRETCH:Sit on a hard surface withyour injured leg stretched out in front ofyou.Loop a towel around the ball of yourfoot and pull the towel toward your bodykeeping your knee straight.Holdthis position for 15 to 30 sec-onds then rel

FAQs

What causes posterior tibial tendonitis?

It occurs from overuse of the tendon. The tendon helps stabilize the arch, and over-pronation can strain it, making tendonitis more likely.

What symptoms are typical of posterior tibial tendonitis?

Common symptoms include pain or tenderness on the inner side of the shin, ankle, or foot, pain when lifting your foot, and pain with walking or running.

How is posterior tibial tendonitis treated?

Treatment may include icing schedules, ice massage, elevation, orthotic arch supports, taping, possible casting, crutches, anti-inflammatory or pain medication, and exercises to improve tendon strength and flexibility.

Oct 12, 2026

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