Do you sometimes have difficulty walking uphill or climbing a flight of stairs due to foot pain? What about going up on your tip-toes? Does it feel uncomfortable, or just downright painful? This could be a sign of a condition known as posterior tibial tendon dysfunction (PTTD), also known as “adult acquired flatfoot.”
How Do You Get PTTD Tendinitis?
Many patients develop PTTD due to an inflammation of the posterior tibial tendon, which is a long tendon that supports the ankle as well as the arch of your foot. This important tendon actually starts at the back of your leg near the calf muscle, and then wraps behind the inside ankle bone, finally attaching at the inside of the arch of your foot.
If this tendon becomes inflamed due to overuse, it can eventually weaken and then basically collapse, which leads to a flattening of the foot. While most people develop PTTD in only one foot, there are a small percentage of patients who develop this condition in both feet. Generally speaking, PTTD is a progressive condition, which means that it will continue to get worse over time, especially if you don’t do what you can to treat it early on.
Symptoms of Tendinitis PTTD
Some of the most common symptoms of PTTD are swelling and pain in the area around the inside of the ankle, and a flattening in the arch of the foot. The ankle can also roll inward, causing the toes to turn outward to the side when you walk. When PTTD gets into its advanced stages, the arch of the foot continues to flatten out even more, and the pain can also shift to the area underneath the outside ankle bone.
Treatment for PTTD
There are a number of non-surgical treatment options for PTTD including orthotic devices, ankle braces, shoe modifications, and physical therapy. If the PTTD symptoms seem more advanced, surgery may be required to correct the issue. The best way to find out what treatment will be the most appropriate fit for your condition is to visit a podiatrist. They will be able to assess the situation and then discuss what will be the best approach for you to take.