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Tibialis Posterior Tendinopathy Treatment in Glen Iris

Expert podiatry for tibialis posterior tendinopathy and inner ankle pain — in-clinic and in-home across Glen Iris.

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Suffering From Tibialis Posterior Tendinopathy in Glen Iris?

Tibialis Posterior Tendinopathy, often known as Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction (PTTD) or Posterior Tibial Tendonitis, is a common and painful condition affecting the posterior tibial tendon. This vital tendon, originating in the calf muscle, extends down the inner leg and attaches to several bones in the foot. It plays a crucial role in supporting the arch of your foot and enabling essential foot movements. When this tendon becomes inflamed or degenerated, it can lead to significant pain, tenderness, and, if left unaddressed, a gradual collapse of the foot’s arch.

Initially, the condition may present as tendinitis, which is acute inflammation of the tendon. However, if chronic inflammation persists, it can progress to tendinosis, a more severe breakdown and weakening of the tendon fibers. This progressive weakening can eventually lead to Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction (PTTD), where the tendon can no longer effectively support the foot’s arch. This results in a flattening of the foot and an inward rolling of the ankle, commonly recognized as adult-acquired flatfoot or a ‘fallen arch’. At GRIT Physio & Podiatry in Glen Iris, we understand the nuances of this condition and offer specialized care to help you regain your foot health.

Common Symptoms & Causes Of Tibialis Posterior Tendinopathy

  • Pain and Tenderness: A primary indicator is pain felt along the inner ankle and arch of the foot. This discomfort often intensifies during or after activities such as walking, running, or climbing stairs.
  • Swelling: You may notice visible swelling along the inner ankle and foot, indicating inflammation or irritation of the tendon.
  • Weakness: A sensation of weakness in the foot or ankle, particularly when attempting to push off the ground or stand on your toes.
  • Arch Collapse (Flatfoot): As the condition progresses, a noticeable flattening of the foot's arch may occur, leading to changes in foot mechanics.
  • Ankle Rolling Inward: The ankle may appear to roll inward, a phenomenon known as pronation, which further stresses the tendon.
  • Heel and/or Toes Turning Outward: In more advanced stages, the heel and/or toes might turn outward, sometimes referred to as the 'too many toes' sign, where more toes are visible from behind than usual.
  • Difficulty with Heel Raises: An inability to perform a single heel raise on the affected foot is a significant sign of tendon weakness or dysfunction.

Our Tibialis Posterior Tendinopathy Treatment Approach

Every patient is different. We start with a thorough assessment to understand exactly what’s causing your pain — then build a personalised treatment plan around your goals, lifestyle, and timeline.

  • Load Management: Structured activity modification to reduce tibialis posterior tendon stress.
  • Custom Orthotic Prescription: Bespoke orthotics with medial arch support to offload the tibialis posterior tendon.
  • Progressive Tendon Loading: Evidence-based eccentric and isometric tibialis posterior loading program.
  • Manual Therapy & Dry Needling: Soft tissue release and trigger point needling for tight tibialis posterior and calf muscles.
  • Footwear Assessment: Expert footwear advice to reduce tibialis posterior tendon loading.
  • Taping & Strapping: Arch support taping to provide immediate pain relief and support.

In-Clinic & In-Home Available

We treat patients both at our Glen Iris clinic and in the comfort of your own home — ideal for patients who find it difficult to travel.

NDIS Participants Welcome — We work with self-managed and plan-managed NDIS participants. Contact us to discuss your funding options.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Tibialis Posterior Tendinopathy is an overuse injury affecting the tibialis posterior tendon, which plays a crucial role in supporting the arch of the foot. It often leads to pain and inflammation along the inside of the ankle and foot, and if left untreated, can contribute to adult-acquired flatfoot.
Symptoms typically include pain along the inside of the ankle and foot, especially during or after activity. You might also experience swelling, tenderness to touch, and a flattening of the arch. In advanced stages, standing on your toes may become difficult or impossible.
Diagnosis usually involves a thorough physical examination, including assessing your foot posture, arch height, and strength of the tibialis posterior muscle. We may also use diagnostic imaging like ultrasound or MRI to confirm the diagnosis and assess the extent of tendon damage.
Recovery time varies based on the severity and chronicity of the condition. Early-stage cases often show significant improvement within 6-12 weeks with consistent conservative treatment. More chronic or severe cases may require a longer rehabilitation period, but our structured approach aims for optimal outcomes.
It’s generally recommended to modify or temporarily reduce activities that aggravate your symptoms. Complete rest is rarely beneficial. Our approach focuses on pain-free loading and progressive rehabilitation to maintain activity levels while promoting healing and strengthening the tendon.
At GRIT, we offer a comprehensive, evidence-based approach including precision biomechanical assessment, targeted load management, custom orthotics, manual therapy, and advanced modalities like dry needling or shockwave therapy. Our goal is to not only alleviate pain but also address the root cause and prevent recurrence, getting you back to your peak performance.

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Book an appointment for tibialis posterior tendinopathy treatment at our Glen Iris clinic today.

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Or call us: (03) 9999 7271