How to Recognize the Signs of Ankle Tendonitis and Treat Them Timely

Ankle tendonitis is a risk for any person enjoying sports. It’s such an injury that develops over time.

The problem is that a lot of people don’t notice ankle tendonitis until they need an ankle tendonitis brace.

However, you can treat ankle tendonitis with success.

Ankle Tendonitis

That is, you can treat ankle tendonitis if you notice it during development. Before that, you need to know more about ankle tendonitis.

First, you need to learn a thing or two about foot anatomy. Tendons connect the muscles of the leg, foot, and ankles. Tendons are cord-like structures that carry and hold the foot muscles.

Tendonitis is the inflammation surrounding the tendon. Once the inflammation starts, you experience pain during any form of movement.

Another problematic fact about tendonitis is that it may appear at several locations. There are four major tendons in the foot. Each tendon can reach a point of inflammation, making everyday activities troublesome.

Achilles Tendonitis

The Achilles tendon is a large tendon, and its purpose is to attach the calf muscles to the back of the heel.

You can recognize Achilles Tendonitis by pain that occurs 1 to 4 inches above the area where the tendon attaches to the heel bone. Also, this is the weakest part of the tendon and is often a location of a tendon tear.

Achilles tendonitis often happens during repetitive stress sports injuries. Also, it can happen when you change shoes or increase your activity on new terrain.

If you can’t treat Achilles tendonitis in a few months, maybe you need surgery.

Posterior Tibial Tendonitis

Posterior tibial tendonitis refers to the tendon on the inner side of the ankle. And doctors often connect it with the flat feet.

This tendon wraps around the inside of the ankle and instep of the foot. The inflammation that relates to posterior tibial tendonitis occurs in this area.

The flat feet contribute to this type of tendonitis due to excessive pressure on the foot. As the foot continues to flatten, you add more pressure increasing inflammation.

The posterior tibial tendonitis can be quite troublesome if you leave it without treatment. However, you can treat it with a cast or a brace.

Peroneal Tendonitis

Peroneal tendonitis refers to the tendon on the outer side of the ankle. This type of tendonitis often occurs after repeated ankle sprains.

This tendon wraps around on the outside of the ankle. You can recognize it by the pain and swelling that occurs in this area.

An advantage of this type of tendonitis is that you can treat it with ease. Also, it’s not common, and it takes a lot of time to develop.

Avoid high-risk sports and embrace moderate fitness. It’s the easiest way to avoid peroneal tendonitis.

Flexor Tendonitis

Flexor tendonitis refers to the tendon on the inner back of the ankle. This type of tendonitis is rare.

To develop flexor tendonitis, you need to put much pressure on your toes or stand on your toes. Thus, flexor tendonitis happens to professional dancers.

The chances are high you won’t develop flexor tendonitis.

Extensor Tendonitis

Extensor tendonitis refers to the tendon on the top of the foot. This type of tendonitis isn’t as severe as the other types of ankle tendonitis.

You may develop extensor tendonitis wearing improper footwear. Yet, with the change of footwear, you can solve extensor tendonitis.

Switch your shoes and find those with better ergonomics.

Ankle Tendonitis Symptoms

The common symptoms of tendonitis include:

Pain
Swelling
Less mobility
Pressure
Less flexibility

You can recognize ankle tendonitis by pain during movement. If you notice that your feet have a weird or abnormal structure, you may have tendonitis.

If you do sports and notice that you have constant pain, it may also point to ankle tendonitis. As a general rule, look out for unusual swelling on your foot.

Also, when you see that there are constant periods of pain, you want to see the doctor. Even if the pain subsides and there is less swelling, still go to the doctor.

That’s the only way to stay sure to avoid chronic tendonitis.

Ankle Tendonitis Causes

Ankle tendonitis has several causes.

The most common cause of tendonitis is overuse. Overuse happens when you constantly stress the tendon, creating small tears. When there is no time to rest and recover, the damage piles on leading to tendonitis.

Another cause of ankle tendonitis is abnormal foot structure. You can affect your foot structure. But, an abnormal foot structure may lead to ankle tendonitis over time.

Trauma is another common cause of tendonitis. Once you experience a sprain or a break, tendonitis may follow. Sprains are a common cause of ankle tendonitis. It gets even worse if you repeat strains, which may lead to chronic tendonitis.

There are specific medical conditions that may lead to ankle tendonitis. However, these are rare cases.

Ankle Tendonitis Treatment

Treating ankle tendonitis requires rest. In severe cases, ankle tendonitis requires surgery.

But, what you need is to bridge the period of recovery with your activities after the recovery. Tendonitis may return when you walk a lot or start working out again. That’s why an ankle compression brace is your best friend.

After you develop ankle tendonitis, take time to rest. Even with the swelling gone, take a few weeks up to a month before exercise.

Once you get back to your daily life, take things slow. Get an ankle brace and build your fitness back. Watch out for swelling and take a rest.

That’s the best way to treat ankle tendonitis.