Anterior and posterior tibialis tendons

[crowcity]

I got tendinitis in all the tendons in my feet except the Achilles in July 07, through overdoing it for a week in crazy rip currents in the sea. I was 40 at the time, and hadn't exercised much for a few months. They creaked like crazy, something snapped (presumably a tendon) somewhere lower in the foot between my toes, and swelled up quite ridiculously.

It cleared a bit over the summer with stacks of rest, but once I went back to work (lecturer) it got really bad again, and I ended up not being able to walk at all. Ultrasound helped, but they stopped doing it as they decided I was no longer acute and had become chronic.

My doctor insisted I keep walking on it, and it got progressively worse until I ignored his advice and crawled everywhere for a few weeks. That seemed to give them the space to heal a bit.

With some physio and swimming I'd got to where I could walk for around 7 mins a couple of weeks ago, but I think I must have overdone it around 10 days ago, and now I can't walk again.

I've already had to give up my job and am so desperate.

Has anyone else had this or can advise please? My doctor doesn't seem to know what to do, and the specialist at the fracture clinic was no better. All he gave me was an X-ray, and tendons don't even show up in those. Things were getting a bit better at that point though, so he discharged me.

The doctor writes it up as "ankle pain" although he did say it was to do with the tendons. By looking it up on the internet it's clearly the anterior and posterior tendons, plus two at the front of the ankle on both feet - not sure what they're called.

Many many thanks in advance for anything you can offer.

[Heidi]

I think if it were me I would have to seek a second opinion or even go private and pay for MRI scans. You're right that x-rays aren't really a help.

It seems a very complex problem and is therefore difficult to really give any advice on a forum. If rest is what seems to help them then this is what i would recommend you do. Rest for a couple of weeks and then gradually increase the amount of walking you do again. You could also try things like rehab bands to strengthen the muscles and tendons gradually. Don't take any risks with overdoing it.

Were your feet assessed for biomechanics? Things like overpronation? If not this is well worth inverstigating. If they are in the wrong position then this puts extra strain on all the tendons and ligaments and can be easily corrected with orthotics

[crowcity]

Many thanks for replying. I saw the doctor today and he referred me to a new specialist, so fingers crossed I'll get a scan and we should be able to see what the problem is.

Yes, I did build up a lot of strength using therabands, stretches and exercises, but couldn't get beyond a certain point (7-10 mins walking, as long as it was followed by 2 hours heat), so I'm seeing this as a positive thing they've gone really bad again, as hopefully now I'll get the medical care I need.

Thanks again