The term tendonitis simply refers to the inflammation of a tendon. It can occur in any tendon in the body. When the inflammation occurs in the extensor tendons in the feet, it is known as extensor tendonitis. The extensor tendons are located in the top of the foot; their job is to keep the toes straight.
In most cases, extensor tendonitis Dallas, Tx is caused by strain or overuse. Changes to your training routine can lead to extensor tendonitis. This can include changes in the amount of training as well as changes in training method. Things like wearing different shoes or running on a different surface can lead to inflammation of the tendons.
Running uphill on a treadmill is particularly hard on the extensor tendons. Even wearing shoes that are laced too tight or don’t fit properly can lead to inflammation of the extensor tendons.
Types of Foot Tendonitis
There are multiple tendons on your feet, which means that you can suffer from different types of foot tendonitis Dallas, Tx. The more common variants of foot tendonitis include:
Extensor tendonitis
There are extensor tendons on both your hands and feet, and they help you move your fingers and toes. On your feet, they run across the top of your feet, which makes them vulnerable to injury, since there isn’t a lot of protective fatty tissue around them.
Peroneal tendinitis
Your peroneal tendons run behind the outer bones in your ankle. They are very strong and protect your ankle joint from sprains and other injuries. Peroneal tendonitis is common in people who practice sports that involve heavy and repetitive ankle use.
Posterior tibial tendonitis
The tendon that belongs to the posterior tibial muscle helps you uphold the arch of your foot, and stops the foot from excessive sideways movements. Posterior tibial tendonitis causes pain and swelling on the inner portion of your foot and ankle, and it can cause you to develop an unsteady gait. In severe cases of this foot tendonitis, your feet can become flat and your toes will begin to point inward.
Achilles tendonitis
Achilles’ tendon can be found at the back of your foot. When it becomes inflamed, it causes pain that has a gradual onset and is usually accompanied by swelling. This pain tends to worsen when you begin to exercise and improves afterwards. It is common in runners.
Symptoms and diagnosis
The most common symptom of extensor tendonitis, whether it occurs in the foot or the hand, is pain. In the feet, the pain is usually localized to the top of the foot, usually close to the center of the foot. In the hands, pain tends to occur on the top of the hand.
Other symptoms of extensor tendonitis include:
· Redness, warmth or swelling near the injury.
· Increased discomfort with activity.
· Crepitus, which is a crunchy feeling or sound over the affected tendon.
· Stiffness of the joint.
Diagnosing extensor tendonitis usually requires a physical exam. The doctor will ask questions about the pain and other symptoms. Common questions are about whether anything makes the pain better or worse, the history of the symptoms, and if anything triggered the discomfort.
Treatments
Medication
Anti-inflammatory medication, such as ibuprofen, may be recommended by a doctor if rest does not alleviate the pain. Resting the affected joint is crucial, especially if the tendonitis Dallas, Tx is caused by overuse.
It is essential to stop the activity that is causing the pain until the tendon has healed to prevent further injury. In less serious cases, rest may be all that is needed until the tendon has healed. Injuries to the hands and feet are common and usually resolve within a few days with basic care at home.
However, if the pain doesn’t start to improve after a couple of days, or a person experiences swelling, redness, warmth or other symptoms, they should visit their doctor. Extensor tendonitis of the foot may require physical therapy and special stretches for a tight calf muscle.
Surgery
Also, some orthopedic surgeons and podiatrists Dallas, Tx may recommend the use of a splint or orthotic shoe inserts. Surgery to repair extensor tendonitis is rare and usually reserved for very special or unique cases.
If considering surgical repair of the extensor tendons, people should ensure they see a surgeon who has experience performing these types of procedures.
