26/03/2023
🦶 PTTD: Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction 🦶
PTTD affects the Posterior Tibial Tendon causing pain in the medial ankle leading to an adult-acquired flat foot.
Symptoms worsen with walking, running, or jumping, and there may be minimal swelling or bruising. Obesity, repetitive ankle sprains, and aging can contribute to the condition. (1)
👩⚕️ PTTD can be diagnosed through physical examination and MRI scans. In severe cases, an x-ray can help identify arthritis of the ankle joint. There are four stages of PTTD, each with its own set of symptoms:
Stage 1: Pain and swelling along the posterior tibial tendon, but the foot still has a normal arch. Symptoms can be treated with rest, ice, and physical therapy.
Stage 2: The arch begins to collapse, leading to difficulty walking and pain on the inside of the ankle. Custom orthotics and a walking brace can help manage symptoms.
Stage 3: The arch collapses further, causing pain in the ankle and knee. Surgery may be necessary to correct the deformity.
Stage 4: The ankle joint is severely arthritic, and surgery may be required to fuse the joint or replace it with an artificial joint.
🏥 Physical therapy with strengthening exercises can improve symptoms in the early stages of PTTD. Custom insoles and the right footwear are also essential for pain relief. Steroid injections are not recommended for PTTD as they can weaken the tendon. Surgery may be required in severe cases.
👣 We are specialists in treating foot conditions like PTTD and have experts in foot conditions in our clinic in Fulham, South West London.
(1) National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction. (2016). https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/posterior-tibial-tendon-dysfunction
(2) American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction. (2019). https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/posterior-tibial-tendon-dysfunction/