Dallas Posterior Tibial Tendonitis Surgeon
Expert Treatment for Posterior Tibial Tendonitis and Dysfunction (PTTD)
The posterior tibial tendon passes through the ankle, connecting the calf muscle to the midfoot bones. It plays a critical role in maintaining the medial arch of your foot and providing stability while walking. An irritated or damaged posterior tibial tendon can lead to Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction (PTTD), also known as adult-acquired flatfoot deformity.
Our Dallas posterior tibial tendonitis surgeon specializes in comprehensive foot and ankle care, offering advanced diagnosis and treatment options for PTTD and related foot and ankle problems.
Let our leading Dallas foot and ankle surgeon provide expert care using the latest surgical procedures and innovative techniques.
What is Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction (PTTD)?
PTTD, also known as Posterior Tibial Tendonitis or Posterior Tibial Tendon Insufficiency, is a progressive condition caused by inflammation, degeneration, or tears in the posterior tibial tendon. These tendon changes reduce the tendon’s ability to support and maintain the medial longitudinal arch of the foot, leading to a collapse of the arch and resulting in adult-acquired flatfoot deformity.
The posterior tibial tendon is a critical structure that passes through the ankle, connecting the calf muscle (gastrocnemius and soleus muscles) to the bones of the midfoot. It provides essential stability and support during walking and weight-bearing activities by maintaining the foot’s arch and preventing excessive foot pronation.
When PTTD occurs, the medial longitudinal arch gradually collapses, causing flatfoot deformity. Flexible flat feet are the most common presentation, where the arch is visible when you aren’t standing, but disappears upon standing or walking. PTTD can affect one or both feet and is characterized by symptoms such as foot pain, swelling (edema), tenderness along the tendon, and progressive weakening of the toes. Patients often experience difficulty walking and standing for prolonged periods, and may develop additional ankle problems if left untreated.
Early diagnosis and treatment of posterior tibial tendon dysfunction are vital to prevent permanent deformity and restore proper foot and ankle function.
Causes and Symptoms of Posterior Tibial Tendonitis (PTTD)
PTTD is usually caused by overuse of the posterior tibial tendon, which results in inflammation, degeneration, or tears. It is most common in people over 40, and other contributing factors are being overweight, hypertension, or diabetes. However, it can arise at any age and in otherwise healthy people.
Posterior tibial tendonitis symptoms often begin with pain along the inside of the foot, followed by swelling and, on rare occasions, arch flattening. The arch continues to flatten as the condition worsens, and pain may transfer to the outside of the foot. The increasing flatness of the foot has stretched and distorted the tendon.
Dallas Posterior Tibial Tendonitis Treatment: Diagnosis and Care
The diagnosis of posterior tibial tendonitis and related deformities, such as adult-acquired flatfoot, requires a comprehensive clinical evaluation performed by an experienced orthopedic surgeon specializing in foot and ankle surgery. This evaluation includes a detailed medical degree-backed assessment of the patient’s history and a thorough physical examination. During the exam, the foot doctor will look for signs of a collapsed arch, ankle pain, swelling, and tenderness along the posterior tibial tendon pathway. Functional tests, such as the single heel raise test, are used to evaluate tendon strength and function, helping to determine the extent of tendon dysfunction.
Advanced imaging tests play a crucial role in confirming the diagnosis and assessing the severity of the condition. These include X-rays to visualize bone structure and alignment, ultrasounds to evaluate tendon inflammation or tears, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for detailed soft tissue assessment. Such imaging helps in examining the ankle joint, heel bone, talus bone, plantar fascia ligament, posterior tibial tendon, flexor digitorum longus, and overall foot alignment.
This comprehensive diagnostic approach is essential to distinguish posterior tibial tendonitis from other ankle conditions, such as a broken ankle or the need for an ankle replacement.
Recovery and Rehabilitation
Recovery and rehabilitation following posterior tibial tendonitis treatment are crucial for restoring foot and ankle function and achieving pain relief. Imaging tests, including X-rays, ultrasounds, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), play a vital role in confirming the diagnosis and determining the severity of the problem. These advanced imaging techniques help assess the condition of the ankle joint, heel bone, inflamed tissue, plantar fascia ligament, talus bone, posterior tibial tendon, and flexor digitorum longus, as well as the overall foot alignment and any other abnormalities.
Close monitoring by a Dallas flat feet doctor, often with fellowship training and experience in orthopedic surgery residency programs, ensures that recovery progresses effectively.
Treatment Options for PTTD
PTTD treatment aims to alleviate discomfort, slow the course of the disorder, and restore foot function. Several factors influence treatment selection, including the stage of the ailment, the patient’s age, health status, and lifestyle.
Non-surgical Treatment
For early treatment of PTTD, nonsurgical treatment is preferred to relieve pain. Rest and immobility, physical therapy including calf muscle and posterior tibial muscle stretches, single-limb heel raise, and Achilles tendon lengthening stretches, pain relievers in the form of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), shoe modifications with medial arch support insoles or shoe inserts, walking boot, ankle brace, and orthotic devices are all options. These procedures try to relieve ankle pain, reduce inflammation, and prevent illness from worsening.
Surgical Treatment
If non-surgical options and conservative therapies do not improve symptoms, or if the condition progresses and shows degenerative changes to the medial malleolus or severe foot or ankle deformities, a posterior tibialis tendon surgery by a orthopedic foot and ankle specialist may be required.
The specific surgical reconstruction will be determined by the stage of PTTD and the patient’s anatomy, by the orthopedic surgeon. Tendon repairs or transfers, deltoid ligament repairs, osteotomies (cutting and relocating bones), joint fusions, and implants to support the arch are all possibilities for severe and advanced cases.
Why Choose Our Services?
Expertise
Our foot surgeon is a renowned expert with considerable training and expertise in treating PTTD, Achilles tendonitis, ankle sprain, and other ankle conditions. They thoroughly understand foot biomechanics and have expertise in the most recent foot and ankle surgery procedures. This enables us to provide more precise therapy, shorter recovery times, and better outcomes for our patients.
Our foot surgery and treatment services are tailored to promote the well-being and optimal function of the foot and improved ankle motion. We provide specialized interventions like bunion correction, Achilles tendon repair, and plantar fasciitis surgery. These offerings reflect our dedication to enhancing the overall health of our patients’ feet.
Individualized Care
Every patient is distinct, as is their disease. We offer customized treatment strategies for each patient’s unique condition and lifestyle. This tailored, specialized care approach improves therapy effectiveness, shortens recovery time, and contributes to high patient satisfaction.
Advanced Techniques
We stay up to date on the newest advancements in orthopedic foot and ankle surgery to achieve optimal patient results. When appropriate, we use advanced surgical techniques, such as minimally invasive procedures, in our practice. This reduces surgical trauma, speeds up recovery, and improves overall outcomes.
Patient-Centered Approach
Everything we do revolves around our patients. Our team of Dallas posterior tibial tendonitis surgeons is dedicated to providing compassionate and comprehensive patient care from the initial consultation until recovery. We spend time with our patients, listening to their worries, describing their situation, and discussing their therapy choices. We believe that an informed patient is an empowered patient, and we are dedicated to providing you with all the information you require to make an informed decision about your care.
Contact us now if you are suffering from PTTD symptoms. From the initial consultation to recovery, our team of dedicated specialists is here to help you navigate your treatment journey. We can work together to restore your foot function and get you back to doing what you love.
Contact Us
Our orthopedic surgeons are wholeheartedly committed to restoring your mobility and improving your quality of life. Don’t hesitate to contact us today to schedule an appointment. Take the first step on your journey towards better foot health with us.
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