Has anyone out here had any luck effectively treating post tib tendinitis? What was your treatment routine? I seem to be doing ok with ice and advil but it flares up again after a long day on my feet at work. Suggestions would be appreciated…
thanks,
michael
Went away quite quickly - and I NEVER used Advil because all that does is mask the problem.
Go see a DPM to get evaluated for orthotics. You may just need OTC ones rather than custom, but they will be able to tell you that. You have to correct the cause (likely overpronation) or you will end up like me a few years ago with a torn PTT → surgery → not so quick recovery 
Easy to address it now.
Dealt with this myself last year. Did IMCdA in June, and was training for Chicago marathon when I ran myself into a PTT issue about September’ish. Ended up basically taking 2 months off of running, and doing PT/rehab 2-3x a week (finally insurance was good for something!). Lots of stretching at first, icing, then as PT progressed, did a lot of ankle/leg strength work ( balance disks, etc. ).
Didn’t run again until about December. Started slow and gradual with the return. Lots of icing. I’m back up to 16 miles for my long runs, and running 4 days a week now. Just about back at the level I left off at last year, which is fine for me, since my A race this year is IMWI.
I do run ( and spend rest of the day ) in custom orthotics, too, fwiw.
PT tendonitis/opathy is a pretty common overuse injury. It is most commonly associated with “overpronation”, but other issues as well, so a good biomechanical analysis should be done. Many do well in orthotics (but not all). Acutely, rest is the absolute hallmark treatment as PT tendonitis is a progressive problem (from tendonitis, to tendonopathy, to longitudingal tearing, to dysfunction, to bony joint adaption). You DON’T want to move along this path.
perly-I had a recent blog post on Posterior Tib tendon problems (3/14/2009) that may be of benefit. Have a look and I can be of further benefit please post.
Hi everyone,
Thank you for the replies.
My recovery is going OK since I stopped running and I am committed to resting until I feel no pain. Can I ask again more specifically what type of stretching, massaging, and other therapy can be done in the mean time?
best,
michael
Stretching, ice and then stengthening will all help. I know orthotics are not the cure for everything, but i had mine tweaked a little and it really helped. My PT put in a cant or wedge type thing like a slight lift in the heel. It is thicker on the medial side and thins out laterally. also a little more posting in my forefoot (again thicker medially). it really helped. I dealt with this injury all last year and when I finally got my orthotics modified, it gradually went away. Hope this helps and you heal fast.
Does anyone have an experience with these products and if they will help with post tibial treatment:
simple:
http://www.roadrunnersports.com/rrs/products/PRO004/
more complicated:
http://www.dme-direct.com/aircast-airlift-pttd-brace-posterior-tibial-tendon-dysfunction/
.
Several questions:
What is bony joint adaption?
If you have been diagnosed with dysfunction & use orthotics, what can you do to reduce the likelihood of moving to “bony joint adaption”?
Any way to move back up the diagnosis ladder?
Thanks
Perly-I have used the arch support your refer to but more for plantar fascia type issues. As far as Aircast goes, I’ve used their products for years and find them helpful but I have no experience with this particular brace. Maybe one of the other forum docs has.
refers to degeneration of the talonavicular and subtalar joints (most commonly) from the posterior tibial tendon dysfunction. Basically - arthritis.
Perly: those arch support strappings are not terribly effective for PT tendon issues.