Posterior Tibial Tendonitis is the name of a problem with your posterior tibial tendon. My foot problem. It’s common in runners and swimmers (among others). I’m not a medical person, wanted to share a little about the foot problem I’ve been having. If you are having similar troubles contact a medical professional.

Here’s a picture of your posterior tibial tendon from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. This tendon connects your calf muscle to the inside of the foot. Symptoms I’ve experienced are pain in my arch, along the top of my foot and up the side of my heel (not straight along the edge of your heel – that’s your Achilles tendon). As a couple references have cited, it’s an important tendon of your foot (aren’t they all?). Another symptom I have is that my foot points out a bit. When looking from behind, instead of my toes being directly in front of my foot, you can see most of my toes.

The advice was to start with RICE (R=rest, I=ice, C=compression, E=elevation), followed with exercise/PT, then resume training.

After the RICE came PT… My PT told me to invest in inserts (a little alliteration there…) that my feet-going-flat are part of the problem. SHe could see the lack of strength in my left foot compared to my right. She gave me some exercises that are now pasted on the refrigerator, and that I’m doing.

So why is my foot still tender? Not enough exercise? Returned too early? Maybe a little of both.

I’m feeling a bit frustrated and will try some NSAIDS, little rest, ice and more PT exercises this week (before the 5K on Saturday and the next May 10th – we’ll see how that goes). And no more non-supportive sandals (read TTFN pretty shoes!)