The Tibialis Posterior Muscle
The tibialis posterior muscle is located just inside the shin, about halfway up the lower leg. This muscle descends and follows the inner side of the heel, with its tendon attaching to the base of the foot’s arch.
Its primary function is to move the foot and ankle downwards and inwards, towards the body’s centerline. Moreover, the tibialis posterior plays a crucial role in supporting and maintaining the foot’s arch. Tendinopathy broadly pertains to painful conditions associated with the tissues surrounding a tendon, typically due to overexertion.
What are the symptoms?
The hallmark signs of tibialis posterior tendinopathy include pain and stiffness over the tendon area, unusual clicking or ‘crepitus’ sounds during movement, and inflammation. Pain might manifest when pressing the tendon or when activating the tibialis posterior muscle, like while hopping, running, or raising onto your toes.
As the situation worsens, the tendon might weaken and lengthen, compromising the foot’s arch support. This deterioration can become increasingly evident as the foot’s reduced support further irritates the impaired tendon. Intense pain might hinder running and even walking. Some individuals might experience a weak yet painless tendon. Occasionally, a sudden tendon rupture might be the initial indication of a problem.
What are the causes?
The primary culprits behind most tendinopathies include overexertion and biomechanical errors. Extended or recurring activities exerting excessive strain on the tibialis posterior tendon can trigger collagen fiber deterioration within the tendon.
Excessive pronation or the inward rolling of the foot during walking can strain the tendon as it attempts to support the arch. Inadequate footwear can intensify this issue, permitting the foot to incline inwards. Often, problems arise when one amplifies their training regimen. If tendons face overwhelming load too swiftly, they can start to degrade, evolving into tendinopathy.
Being overweight, muscle weakness, or tightness, inadequate warm-ups, and insufficient recovery intervals can all instigate tendinopathy. As anticipated, this condition predominantly affects runners and athletes involved in extensive running sports. However, non-athletes can also suffer from tendinopathy due to routine activities.
How can physiotherapy help?
A physiotherapist can diagnose the condition and validate it with MRI or ultrasound scans. They can also pinpoint factors contributing to the ailment, addressing them to alleviate pain promptly.
Most tendinopathies mandate a relative rest period, and a structured training program to fortify the tendon proves most effective for recuperation. Other treatments might include ultrasound, ice or heat applications, soft tissue massage, stretching, and joint mobilization. Supportive interventions, such as arch support taping, biomechanical adjustments, bracing, and footwear recommendations, might also be beneficial.
Note: The content of this article is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult a medical expert regarding your specific condition.