Do you also have foot pain? Let's learn about this foot tendonitis?

Do you sometimes feel a sharp pain or swelling in your leg, especially in the heel, the top of the foot, or around the eye? Does this pain increase when you walk or run? Does it feel so stiff that you can't even stand up in the morning? These could be symptoms of tendonitis, which is what we call tendonitis in medical terms. So today, let's talk about this in a little more detail , okay?

What is Foot Tendonitis?

Simply put, it's a swelling or injury to a tendon in your foot. Now you may be wondering what a tendon is. Tendons are like strong bands of tissue. These are what connect our muscles to our bones. Think about it, when you lift your leg, run, or jump, these muscles pull on the bones. So, these tendons act like a bridge that helps with that pulling and provides strength.

So, these tendons can become injured or swollen due to overuse, or sometimes due to an accident. We call that inflammation . Just like when we get injured somewhere in our body, it becomes red, swollen, and hot, the same thing happens to tendons.

Are there different types of tendonitis?

Yes, there are many different tendons in our feet. So this condition (Tendonitis) can affect any of these tendons. However, there are a few types that are most commonly seen:

• Achilles tendonitis: Many people have heard of this. It affects the tendon that connects your calf muscle to your heel bone. It is actually the strongest tendon in our body. It helps us run, jump, walk, and lift ourselves up on our toes. It is more common in athletes.

• Extensor tendonitis: This occurs in the tendons that run along the top of your foot. These tendons connect the bones in the front of your leg to your toes. Some people may experience pain in this area, especially when their shoes are too tight.

• Peroneal tendonitis: This affects one or both of the tendons that run along the outside of your leg, around the outer ankle bone. These connect to your midfoot and arch, helping to provide stability to your foot. This can happen if you suddenly roll your leg inward.

• Posterior tibial tendonitis: This affects the tendon that connects the muscles in your shin to the bones on the inside of your foot. This tendon helps to keep the arch of your foot up. If it becomes weak, you can develop flat feet.

• Plantar fasciitis: This is not actually a tendon, but a thick band of tissue (ligament) that runs from the heel to the toes on the bottom of the foot. However, the pain, symptoms, and treatments are similar to those of tendonitis, so it is often referred to as plantar fasciitis. The pain is most often felt on the bottom of the heel, especially when you first get up in the morning.

Who is more likely to develop this condition? (Risk factors)

Anyone can develop foot tendonitis. However, some people are more likely to develop it. This condition is especially common in athletes or those who are very active, as the tendons are overused. Also, you are at higher risk if you have any of the following:

• If you are a little overweight .
• If you don't warm up (stretch) properly before doing physical activity.
• If you don't stretch your body after you've finished physical activity.
• If you have any health conditions such as (Arthritis) , (Gout) , (Thyroid disease) or (Diabetes Mellitus ).
• If you have flat feet .
• If you have previously injured your tendons .
• If the tendons and muscles in your legs are tight .
• If you smoke or use other tobacco products.

How common is this?

Achilles tendonitis is the most common type of tendonitis. Studies suggest that this condition affects between 1% and 9% of both elite athletes and recreational athletes. That's not as rare as you might think.

What causes this?

Tendonitis is often chronic . This means that it occurs when the tendons in your foot are repeatedly stressed. For example, you run the same way every day with the wrong posture, or your shoes don't fit properly. Then, over time, the tendons start to become injured.

However, sometimes it can happen suddenly . For example, if you suddenly overstretch the tendon, over-rotate your leg, or use improper technique when running, jumping, or playing sports.

What are the symptoms of this?

Symptoms may vary depending on the tendon you have injured, but here are some common symptoms:

• Bone spurs ( i.e., extra bone growths near the tendon) occur near the tendon.
• Feeling pain along the tendon or where the tendon attaches to the bone.
• Increased pain during physical activity.
• Feeling stiffness in the leg after not moving it for a while (for example, when getting up in the morning).
• Swelling, redness, or a feeling of warmth around the tendon.
• Thickening of the tendon. Sometimes it may feel like a lump when touched.

Imagine, Nalini the teacher walks to school every morning. For a few days now, her heel has been hurting, and it's hard to even stand up when she gets out of bed in the morning. It may be a little less painful during the day, but it hurts again when she gets home in the evening. This could be Achilles tendonitis.

Can a tendon rupture due to tendonitis?

Yes, sometimes a tendon can rupture if it is overstretched, or if it is accidentally pulled. This means that the tendon can tear completely or partially. This is a serious condition and you should definitely seek medical advice. If you have any of the following, see a doctor immediately:

• If you can't put your feet down or bear weight.
• If you can't move your leg in a certain direction .
• If you have severe pain in your leg.
• If the injury occurred with a "click" sound from the leg or if it felt like something was breaking.

How does a doctor diagnose this? (Diagnosis)

When you go to see a doctor, they will first ask you about your symptoms, then do a physical exam . They will then palpate certain areas of your leg, ankle, or groin to check for swelling and pain. They will also ask you to move and bend your leg in different ways to check your range of motion, strength, and pain intensity.

If your doctor suspects that you have a broken bone or torn tendon in your leg, he or she may order imaging exams such as an X-ray , MRI , CT scan , or ultrasound .

In most cases, an ultrasound is the test of choice to look for any signs of injury, swelling, or changes that are causing pain, even if a tendon in the foot is not ruptured, because it can also better visualize the movement of the tendon.

What are the treatments for this?

Often, the first thing your doctor will recommend to manage tendonitis pain is a home remedy, also known as the RICE method .

Things you can do at home (RICE method)

This is very simple. You can remember these four treatments by the four letters RICE.

• R - Rest: Give your leg a rest. Stop physical activity for a while to prevent further damage to the painful tendon.
• I - Ice: Apply an ice pack or a cold cloth to the painful area for about 20 minutes. However, do not apply the ice directly to the skin, wrap it in a cloth.
• C - Compression: To reduce swelling, wrap a compression bandage or regular bandage around the injured tendon tightly. But don't make it so tight that it cuts off blood flow.
• E - Elevation: Keep your leg elevated as much as possible. If possible, even above the level of your heart. This will also reduce swelling.

Now that the doctor has figured out exactly what your injury is, he or she may recommend further treatment. For example:

• Special exercises for the calf area (calf stretches or exercises) .
• Orthotics - special shoe inserts - can help reduce pain and provide support for your feet when you resume physical activity.
• Non-narcotic pain relievers .
• Physical therapy to regain lost range of motion, strength, stability, and flexibility in your foot, ankle, and hip area.
• Sometimes, a soft cast or boot may be used to immobilize the leg and give the tendons time to heal.

Does everyone need surgery?

No, most people do not need surgery for tendonitis. However, if your injury does not heal after six months of other treatments, your doctor may recommend surgery. There are several types of surgery:

• Gastrocnemius recession: This procedure surgically lengthens the muscle in your calf. This can help people with flat feet or to reduce pressure on the Achilles tendon.
• Tenosynovectomy: This surgery cleans (debrides) the damaged tendon. The surgeon removes the damaged tissue and sews the healthy tissue back together.
• Tendon transfer: If your tendon is severely damaged, you may need this type of surgery. The surgeon removes most of the damaged tendon, takes a healthy tendon from another part of your foot, and attaches it to the remaining part of the original tendon.
• (Ultrasound-Guided Hydroresection (TenJet)): If your tendon isn't torn, but there is a buildup of tissue called tendinosis , your doctor may recommend this in-office procedure. This involves removing the damaged tissue. This is done under ultrasound guidance.

How to protect yourself from this situation? (Prevention)

There are several ways you can protect yourself from this condition (Foot Tendonitis):

• Don't ignore pain and work through it. Think of it as a signal that pain is giving you.
• Don't suddenly engage in strenuous physical activity. Increase the intensity gradually.
• Maintain a healthy body weight.
• Don't put too much weight on your tendons.
• Avoid smoking and using tobacco products.
• Get enough rest while exercising.
• Warm up (stretch) well before doing physical activity.
• Stretch your body after you finish physical activity.
• Use proper technique when playing sports.
• Wear shoes that fit you well and provide good support. Use orthotics if your doctor recommends them.

How long does it take to recover from this condition? (Expectation of recovery)

Most people recover completely from tendonitis without any permanent damage. With standard treatment, tendon injuries can be expected to heal within a few months. However, if you have surgery, it can take six to twelve months to heal. Many people will need physical therapy after surgery.

One thing to remember is that once you injure a tendon in your foot, you are more likely to injure the same area again in the future. Therefore, it is very important to take extra precautions to avoid re-injury when playing sports or exercising.

When should you definitely see a doctor?

If you have any of these symptoms, definitely see a doctor:

• If you can't walk or can't bear weight on your feet.
• If you ca n't bend or move your toes or ankles.
• If you feel a "clicking" sound coming from your leg or ankle, or something breaking.
• If you have severe pain in your leg, ankle, or groin area.
• If you notice swelling in your leg, ankle, or groin area.

Take-Home Message

Okay, so let's briefly remind you of some of the important points we've discussed.

• Tendonitis is an inflammation or injury to a tendon in your foot.
• This is most often caused by overuse , but it can also be caused by accidents.
• Pain, swelling, and stiffness are the main symptoms.
• In most cases, it can be cured with simple treatments such as rest, ice, and physical therapy .
• Some people may need surgery , but it's a little less common.
• The best way to prevent this is to avoid putting too much weight on your body, exercise properly, and wear shoes that fit properly.
• If you experience severe pain, inability to move your leg, or a "clicking" sound, see a doctor immediately.

So, don't take your leg pain lightly. If you find the cause and get the right treatment, you can be healthy again. If you have any other questions, don't hesitate to talk to a doctor.

` Foot pain, Tendonitis, Achilles tendonitis, Heel pain, Leg swelling, Sports injuries