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Flexor Tendonitis
Flexor tendonitis is inflammation of the flexor tendons in the foot which bend the big toes. They run down the inside of the ankle and under the foot to the toes.
Symptoms of Flexor Tendinitis
Flexor tendinitis symptoms include tenderness along the length of the tendon. Pain may be felt in the arch of the foot, on the inside back of the ankle and when the big toe is bent against resistance.
Flexor Tendonitis Treatment
What can the athlete do about it?
- Rest until there is no more pain. This may mean complete rest for a day or two depending on how bad the injury is or rest from activities which make it worse. It is important to keep fit where possible by cycling or swimming.
- Apply ice or cold therapy to reduce the pain and inflammation.
- Tape the foot to protect the arch and allow it to rest more easily. It is difficult to rest a foot injury if you have to walk on it but the arch taping can reduce the load on the tendons.
What can a sports injury specialist or doctor do?
- Prescribe anti-inflammatory medication such as ibuprofen which will help reduce pain and inflammation. Always consult a Doctor before taking medication as Ibuprofen should not be taken with certain conditions including asthma.
- Operate - surgery is often successful for this injury and there have been reports of athletes returning to sport within 6 to 9 weeks of the operation.
- The tendons which bend the toes originate from two muscles of the lower leg; the Flexor digitorum longus and the Flexor hallucis longus muscles so stretching and massage of these muscle may help.
