Tendonitis

Tendinitis is an inflammatory condition of the tendons that connect muscles to bones. In the areas of the foot and ankle, this condition often affects the Achilles tendon, the tendons of the peroneal muscles, and other structures that provide mobility and stability to the foot. Inflammation leads to pain, swelling and restricted movement, which significantly worsens both physical and emotional well-being. If tendonitis is not treated promptly, it can become chronic (tendinosis), which increases the risk of tendon rupture and requires more complex treatment.

Illinois Foot & Ankle Clinic led by experienced surgeon podiatrist Dr. Alex Yanovskiy, DPM, offers comprehensive treatment for foot and ankle tendinitis. We can help you get rid of pain and restore your foot health.

Types of Foot Tendonitis

There are several forms of tendonitis that can affect the foot and ankle, and for each, a specific treatment approach is needed.

Achilles Tendonitis

The Achilles tendon is the largest tendon in the body, connecting the calf muscles to the heel bone. The disease develops as a result of overexertion or injury, causing inflammation and pain in the back of the heel and lower calf.

Peroneal Tendonitis

The peroneal tendons, belonging to - one to the long and one to the short peroneal muscle, run parallel along the outside of the ankle and in concert to help the muscles turn the sole of the foot outward, flex the toes, and stabilize the foot during walking and running. The disease occurs due to degenerative changes in the tendons, as a result of overstrain or injury. It is manifested by pain and swelling in the outer part of the ankle.

Tendonosis

This is a chronic form of tendonitis in which there is degeneration of the tendon due to constant stress and inflammation. In tendinosis, the tendon tissue loses its elasticity, which increases the risk of tearing. Pain can become constant and interfere with normal activity.

Causes of Foot Tendonitis

Simply put, tendonitis of the foot is an “overload” of the tendon that leads to its inflammation. There are many causes of this condition, including:

• Constant physical exertion: can lead to micro tears in the tendon and the development of inflammation.
• Improperly fitted shoes: creates additional pressure on the foot.
• Deformities of the foot (flat feet, valgus deformity of the big toe, etc.) can disrupt the biomechanics of walking and increase the load on the tendons.
• Age-related changes: decreased elasticity of tendons makes them more susceptible to damage.
• Associated diseases: can weaken tendons and increase the risk of tendonitis (diabetes, gout, rheumatoid arthritis, etc.).
• Acute injuries, strains or tears of the tendon: can trigger the development of inflammation.

Illinois Foot & Ankle Clinic specialists can help determine the exact causes of your tendonitis, suggest the best treatment options, and help prevent recurrence.

Symptoms and Signs

Tendinitis of the foot can manifest itself with a variety of symptoms, which are important to recognize early in the course of the disease.

What are the signs to look out for?

Achilles tendon pain:

• starts as discomfort or mild soreness in the back of the heel;
• may increase with physical activity;
• becomes constant over time, interfering with normal mobility.

Joint stiffness:

• particularly severe after resting or sitting for long periods of time;
• gradually lessens as you move and becomes worse at the end of the day.

Ligaments in the Ankle:

• inflammation of the tendons is often accompanied by swelling in the ankle area;
• swelling is visually noticeable, and the skin is hot to the touch;
• swelling may limit mobility and cause a feeling of heaviness in the foot.

Limitation of mobility:

• weakness in the foot, difficulty extending the toes, lifting on toes, or walking upstairs.

Sensitivity to touch:

• Any pressure on the affected area can cause sharp pain or discomfort.

If you notice one or more of these symptoms, don't delay in seeing a specialist.

Diagnostics: Understanding the Condition

Diagnosis of foot and ankle tendonitis usually involves techniques that can determine the extent of tendon damage and select an effective treatment plan.

Physical examination:

• the doctor assesses the mobility of the joint, checks for pain, swelling and other signs of inflammation;
• palpation of the tendon identifies areas of hypersensitivity and the degree of inflammation;
• during the examination, the doctor may ask the patient to perform certain movements - to assess the degree of mobility limitations.

Ultrasound: 

• ultrasound is particularly useful for diagnosing tendonitis in its early stages;
• allows real-time assessment of the condition of soft tissues, tendons and ligaments;
• detect the presence of inflammation, microtrauma or degenerative changes in tendons. 

Magnetic Resonance Imaging:

• MRI is used to diagnose complex cases of tendonitis, when it is necessary to exclude other possible pathologies (tendon ruptures, stress fractures, cartilage damage);
• allows obtaining detailed images of the internal structures of the foot and ankle;
• allows assessing the degree of tendon degeneration in the diagnosis of tendinosis.

In certain cases, additional tests may be required - radiography to rule out bony lesions, or a general blood test to detect inflammatory processes.

Treatment Options for Foot Tendonitis

Treatment for foot tendonitis focuses on relieving inflammation, reducing pain, and restoring function to the affected tendon. At Illinois Foot & Ankle Clinic, we use a comprehensive approach to treatment that produces the best results. These include

Rest and stress reduction:

• reducing physical activity that causes pain allows the tendon to recover;
• in some cases, temporary use of crutches or orthotics is recommended to fully relieve the affected area.

Physical Therapy:

• application of an individualized exercise program aimed at strengthening the muscles, improving flexibility and restoring joint mobility, with a gradual increase in the load on the tendon.

Orthopedic devices:

• the use of orthopedic insoles or shoes with additional support to reduce stress on tendons;
• the use of special bandages or tapes to fix the foot and limit its mobility.

Medication:

• non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and topical anti-inflammatory gels or ointments to reduce pain and inflammation;
• corticosteroid injections for rapid symptom relief.

Surgical treatment

When conservative treatments fail, surgery may be needed to repair a damaged tendon, remove inflamed tissue, or correct anatomical abnormalities causing chronic inflammation.

At Illinois Foot & Ankle Clinic, under the leadership of Dr. Alex Yanovskiy, DPM, you'll receive a personalized treatment plan designed to help you quickly return to an active, pain-free life.