Inside ankle pain can interfere with everyday activities. When you’re experiencing pain on the inside part of your ankle, you may have trouble walking, running or even standing for long periods. One of the most common causes of this pain is posterior tibial tendinitis. Think you might be experiencing posterior tibial tendinitis? Getting effective professional treatment can be essential to your recovery.
Posterior tibial tendinitis: A leading cause of inside ankle pain
The posterior tibial tendon is a key structure in your ankle. This tendon supports your foot’s arch and stabilizes your ankle. It runs along the inside of your ankle and connects the calf muscles to the bones of the foot. When this tendon becomes inflamed or irritated due to overuse or injury, it leads to posterior tibial tendinitis. Posterior tendinitis often comes with discomfort and functional difficulties. One of the most common symptoms is pain localized around the inside of the ankle. This pain may become more intense when walking or running. You may also notice some swelling and tenderness around your ankle. The affected ankle might feel weaker than usual, making it harder to keep your balance while standing or walking.
Posterior tibial tendinitis may worsen when left untreated. In some cases, the posterior tibial tendon may start to weaken or even break down. According to the Cleveland Clinic, this breakdown may lead to posterior tibial tendon dysfunction (PTTD). Learning more about the condition can help you identify it and seek the treatment you need.
Some common reasons for the development of posterior tibial tendinitis include:
- Overuse — Activities that involve repetitive ankle movements can strain the tendons in your ankle over time. Activities that might lead to overuse could include running, hiking or walking long distances. If you want to avoid overuse injuries, make sure to gradually build up to intensive exercises. Abruptly increasing the intensity or duration of exercise without proper conditioning can be a major trigger for tendon irritation.
- Poor gait — Improper gait can place extra stress on the tendons in your foot and ankle and increase the likelihood of inflammation. Factors such as past injuries and fallen arches can contribute to poor gait. A licensed physical therapist can help you improve your gait and posture, reducing your risk of ankle tendinitis.
- Unsupportive footwear — Wearing unsupportive or worn-out shoes can lead to increased stress on the inside of the ankle. If you do a lot of running or hiking, make sure to wear the right shoes for each activity.
Top physical therapy treatments for posterior tibial tendinitis
When it comes to treating inside ankle pain caused by posterior tibial tendinitis, physical therapy can be a great option. Physical therapists use a range of techniques to deliver comprehensive care. Physical therapy doesn’t just work to alleviate short-term symptoms like pain. It also works to address the core causes behind your symptoms. The goal is to create lasting relief and physical improvement. Here are some techniques you might engage with during your physical therapy treatment journey:
- Manual therapy — Manual therapy involves hands-on PT techniques. These range from assisted stretches to joint mobilization and soft tissue mobilization. Manual therapy is often used to address pain and stiffness. Some key benefits of manual therapy include reduced swelling, improved mobility and better blood flow. When treating ankle tendinitis, your physical therapist may primarily use manual techniques like soft tissue mobilization. Soft tissue mobilization can be used to minimize long-term effects of inflammation and scarring through gradual increases in force. This can relieve tension along the posterior tibial tendon, accelerating recovery.
- Graston Technique® — The Graston Technique is a specialized form of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization. With the Graston Technique, physical therapists use stainless steel tools to provide targeted treatment. These instruments can be used to apply pressure along the affected tendon and surrounding muscles. The Graston Technique is known for breaking down scar tissue and releasing tight muscles. It can also help stimulate your body’s natural healing responses. The Graston Technique is designed to help improve flexibility, reduce pain and accelerate recovery through increased blood flow. This approach may be especially useful in situations where your tendinitis is limiting your ankle movement.
- Dry needling — If you’re looking for rapid relief, dry needling might be the right treatment for you. Dry needling is a technique where thin needles are inserted into tight or painful muscles to relieve tension and improve blood flow. Your physical therapist may use dry needling to target tight muscles in your ankle as well as nearby tissue. For example, if you have muscle knots in your calf, releasing these knots may help relieve pain in your ankle. In general, dry needling can help reduce any muscle tightness that puts strain on your tendons. Key benefits of dry needling include better circulation and rapid localized pain relief.
Find inside ankle pain relief at Forever Fit
Forever Fit offers top-notch physical therapy for a wide range of conditions. Our licensed physical therapists use evidence-based treatments, including dry needling, manual therapy and the Graston Technique, to help patients find lasting relief. You can get specialized dry needling treatment at our Rockville, Maryland, location. We also offer tailored treatment at several other locations across the state of Maryland.
Contact our team today for more information about ankle pain relief or to schedule an initial appointment.