Posterior Tibial Dysfunction

What are posterior tibial tendon tear symptoms? 

In its early stages, posterior tibial dysfunction can be characterized by an inflamed tendon. Because the tendon runs along the back of the ankle near the Achilles tendon, it can sometimes be mistaken for Achilles tendinitis.

In later stages of PTTD, the injured tendon completely fails to support the arch of the foot, and the condition progresses to posterior tibial tendon insufficiency. The arch falls because the tendon is no longer able to do its job.

Tendon degeneration, and PTTD in particular, is prevalent in people over 40 with flat feet and affects as many as five million Americans. It may also occur due to an acute injury, such as a fall or overuse (especially for those involved in high-impact sports). Other risk factors for PTTD include hypertension, diabetes, and obesity.

If you’re experiencing any of the following symptoms, get in touch with our podiatric experts to see if you’re suffering from PTTD:

• Swelling
• Pain around the hindfoot
• Ankle pain
• Pain that worsens during high-impact activities
• Foot pain that has moved to the outside of the ankle
• Flattening of the arches
• An ankle joint that rolls inward when you walk

How do the podiatrists at University Foot and Ankle Institute diagnose a tibial tendon tear? 

The first step in diagnosis is a review of your symptoms and medical history along with a physical examination of your entire foot (forefoot, midfoot, and hindfoot). Our doctors will check for swelling along the posterior tibial tendon, changes to your foot shape, and how your feet and ankles move during weight-bearing activities. Specifically, we’ll see how your feet and ankles respond to simple heel raises

We also have access to X-rays, MRIs, CT scans, and ultrasounds to get a clear view of your bones and tendons. This can also help rule out other possible causes of your symptoms.

What is posterior tibial tendon dysfunction treatment?

PTTD is a progressive condition that worsens with use and age. Therefore, our orthopedic specialists advise treating the condition as early as possible. The earlier we catch and treat PTTD, the easier and less invasive the treatment will be.

Non-surgical treatments for tibial tendon dysfunction

Stage I of PTTD is characterized by inflammation of the tendon, but without fraying or tearing. If the problem is caught at this stage, before the tendon tears, we can relieve the problem with simple supportive therapies.

Orthotic devices such as ankle braces, shoe inserts, splints, and custom orthotics can support the tendon, improve your gait, and allow your ankle to heal. This is generally combined with physical therapy to strengthen your muscles and tendons, improving their flexibility and preventing future injury.

We can also add conservative treatments for pain management. This may include include steroid injections, icing your foot, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen. 

At the beginning of treatment, you may need immobilization of the joint with the use of a walking boot or ankle foot orthosis brace. Keeping the joint from moving can reduce inflammation in the soft tissues and ligaments.

Posterior tibial tendon surgery 

If the tendon tears, your PTTD condition is considered stage II or worse. Stage III and stage IV include not only pain and changes in your gait but also foot deformity and degeneration of the ankle joint. A torn posterior tibial tendon generally requires PTTD surgery to restore the tendon and prevent further collapse of the arch.

Minimally invasive surgical options 

At UFAI, we try to start with the least invasive treatment option possible. One such option is a tenosynovectomy. With this technique, we gently remove the inflamed tissue around the tendon. Our specialists tend to use coblation Topaz therapy to accomplish this. This form of therapy is minimally invasive and uses radio frequencies to break up scar tissue around the damaged tendon. A tenosynovectomy alone can help reduce inflammation, but it won’t solve the issue of the tendon being disconnected.

If your tendon needs to be re-attached to the main bone, keyhole surgery may be used to remove damaged parts of the tendon and then reattach the healthy portions using a specialized screw. The screw can be placed on the calcaneus (heel bone), and we can adjust the tension of the tendon to restore your foot arch. In some cases, stem cells are placed in the surgical area to help strengthen the tendon and its fusion to the screw. 

Another option for creating a new arch is an osteotomy, in which the bones of your heel and midfoot are reshaped to recreate the arch and relieve pain. 

Surgical options for severe PTTD 

When a tendon becomes too weak to support itself, it may require the extra support of another tendon. Using half of an adjacent tendon, a tendon transfer is done to recreate a stable posterior tibial tendon. Typically, another tendon in the foot will be transferred, such as the flexor digitorum longus (FDL) that moves the pinky toe or even the flexor hallucis longus (FHL) that moves the big toe. 

However, there are times when simple repair of the tendon is not enough to improve arch support. Flat foot reconstruction surgery can entail moving and reshaping bones. One instance is lateral column lengthening, in which a bone is taken from your hip and fastened to the outside of your heel bone to form an arch. Additionally, arthrodesis may be required if arthritis has set in. During this procedure, your doctor will reshape and realign the bones to achieve a proper foot arch. Once they are realigned, the cartilage between them is removed, and they are fused together.

Our healthcare specialists will help determine which treatment is best for you.

Why choose UFAI for your tendon care? 

All of the physicians at the University Foot and Ankle Institute are active in sports; many used to compete, so they understand the stress that physical activity puts on the feet. They are nationally recognized experts with decades of experience in foot and ankle tendon care and use the latest technologies available. Our goal is to help you get back on your feet — pain-free. 

By offering a full spectrum of workup, conservative, surgical, and recovery options, we are truly taking care of you in a state-of-the-art manner without the need to go from place to place.

To schedule a consultation, please call (855) 872-5249 or make an appointment now.

University Foot and Ankle Institute is conveniently located throughout Southern California and the Los Angeles area. Our foot doctors are available at locations in or near Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, West Los Angeles, Manhattan Beach, Northridge, Downtown Los Angeles, Westlake Village, Santa Barbara, and Valencia.