Foot tendonitis

A tendonitis in the foot indicates irritation at the transition between muscle and bone, also called a tendon. A tendon mainly becomes irritated with too great an amount of movement (overuse) or too little movement (underuse). With prolonged overuse or underuse of the foot, small tears can occur in a tendon.

One of the most common tendonitis conditions in the foot is heel spur (plantar fasciitis). In this condition, the plantar fascia under the sole of the foot, the connection between the heel bone and the toes, is irritated. Research has shown that ten percent of adults suffer from heel spur at least once in their lives.

What causes tendonitis in the foot?

Tendonitis in the foot is mainly caused by overuse. Think of sports such as running, ballet, gymnastics, and soccer. Other risk factors include being overweight and poor footwear, but also (congenital) alignment abnormalities in the foot, ankle, or knee increase the risk of this injury.

In addition to overuse, prolonged underuse of the foot is an absolute risk factor. As a result, the load capacity of the muscles and tendons in the foot decreases, and without good build-up of loading, overuse is lurking.

What are the symptoms of tendonitis in the foot?

Common and very characteristic are morning pain or start-up pain after sitting for a long time. The foot then feels stiff and painful. Once you get moving, this pain often subsides, only to return again after exertion.

At a later stage, the heel pain becomes more persistent; even without exertion, the pain is present. It may then be difficult to bear weight on the foot, and it may feel burning.

How is the diagnosis of tendonitis in the foot made?

Tendonitis in the foot is generally easy to recognize. Examination by the family doctor or physiotherapist is sufficient. Additional tests can be done to determine the possible cause of the symptoms.

An X-ray provides more clarity about the heel bone. It is possible that calcium deposits are present on the heel bone. On the X-ray, this calcium looks like a 'hook' and can lead to more irritation of the plantar fascia under the sole of the foot. It should be noted, however, that this calcification does not always cause (pain) symptoms.

When making the diagnosis, other conditions that can cause foot pain should be considered.

How is tendonitis in the foot treated?

As with all other forms of tendonitis, it is wise to rest and apply ice to the painful area. A physiotherapist can guide the build-up of loading. This may include specific exercise therapy to make the muscles around the foot stronger and more stable. Shockwave therapy is a commonly used physiotherapeutic treatment method to reduce tendon symptoms in the foot.

For heel spur symptoms, a special sock and night splint have been developed. These keep the foot in a straight (hooked) position. As a result, the calf muscles, Achilles tendon, and the plantar fascia are stretched during the night.

If such measures do not produce sufficient results, the family doctor may refer you to a specialist in the hospital. In that case, common treatment methods are an injection or a surgical procedure.