I have been battling posterior tibial tendonitis in both feet for over a year. At least that's what I've been told it is. Basically it's pain on the inside of my foot below the ankle bone. I've been to two podiatrist, one orthopedist and three physical therapists. I've tried strengthening PT, resting PT and none of it's done any good. Usually swimming is a recommended exercise for people with feet problems like plantar fasciitis. Well, would you believe that swimming aggravates my feet. It appears the flexion of kicking and the pointed toe position of flutter kicking are what causes the aggravation. Basically I'm only good for about a half an hour before things start getting ugly. I can only pull so much without aggravating the tendonitis in my elbow. *** stroke is actually the least aggravating stroke.
My feet are a set up for problems in that I pronate severely. Yes, I have custom orthotics-they haven't helped, in fact the problem in the one foot didn't start until after I'd gotten the new orthotics.
Anybody ever have this? Anybody ever get rid of it? I'm really sick of this. I can't swim for a couple of weeks because of stitches (mole removal) but I'd like to get back in the swim of things after that.
Thanks for any advice or sympathy.
Jan
I haven't had it but many of my patients have. Its not an easy problem to resolve. You have to really protect and rest the tendon almost completely for weeks to let it heal.
It seems cruel that even the little movement of kicking is aggravating it, but if it is, I'm sorry to say you'll have to quit. Seems crazy to suggest it, but could you get a brace you could wear while swimming?
Yes - I have a very similar problem that was similarly diagnosed, but also have pain on the inside of both lower legs right above the ankle bone (which has become more of a problem!). I have had ultrasound, ASTYM, deep tissue massage - all with little help (and ASTYM left me pretty bruised up!). I think this all started when I way overdid my fin work for about 10 weeks - and now even easy kicking hurts, as do flip turns. Pushing off the wall is not so bad but kicking is the problem.
I did take off for 3 weeks (but biked on a stationary bike every other day for an hour plus used my Bowflex). The pain did pretty much go away in terms of everyday walking (the biking did not bother it too much) - but I got back into the water and by the third day it was coming back.
I had an MRI today and see the ortho guy next week - he is a former swimmer and is very good, so I will let you know. Meanwhile, I sent the MRI disc to my daughter who is a radiologist to get some further insight into what I am up against in terms of damage!
Since we're on a related topic:
Has anyone had high hamstring tendinopathy? I've read it's more predominant in runners (which I'm not). It doesn't affect my swimming as much, except for kicking a bit, which is slower. But it's very annoying and healing feels very, very slow. I've done ASTYM and physical therapy but it only helped so much. Right now I'm considering getting a cortizone shot or maybe prolotherapy. It's very frustrating. Any help or advice would be appreciated!
JIM
My husband, who is a runner, had the same hamstring problem. He also tried ART and PT, largely to no avail. He then tried prolotherapy and says it made the problem about 80% better. It's a hard problem to fix, and prolo is not fast. If he races, he still aggravates it. Very tough injury to completely heal. Probably because you've got masses of scar tissue there.
Sorry, plantlady, that does not sound good. If you've tried everything, I can only recommend PRP, plasma regeneration therapy. www.treatingpain.com.
I'm still struggling with tendonitis in the top of my right foot for over a year. I think I'm going to break down and get a cortisone shot, but it apparently results in some hobbling. So I can't do it until I claim victory in my upcoming gridges.
What a coincidence that you post this, I was just about to make a thread about my plantar fasciitus (or however you spell it). I finally went back to the doctor after about 3 weeks of constant pain in my tendon and on top of that they think I might have a stress facture... I was diagnosed about 2 years ago, and have had problems on and off, but I agree that swimming does upset. Kicking is the worst, and for me personally breaststroke (my favorite :() I can barely do because the flexing causes the tendon to pull even more.
I'm on my way to a podiatrist (finally) next week to see what's going on. The doc at student health also recommended custom insoles which I agree seem to do very little when you hurt really bad. I was going to ask about surgery where they go in and cut the tendon. I don't know about that same option for your condition, but if it's that bad maybe surgery wouldn't be so bad.
In the mean time, make sure you stretch your feet a lot. I like to stand with the balls of my feet on the edge of the pool and push down so that the tendon is pulled slightly...definitely don't do it if your having pain though...did that once, bad idea.
I wish I could be more help, I totally sympathize with foot pain. Good Luck!
Since we're on a related topic:
Has anyone had high hamstring tendinopathy? I've read it's more predominant in runners (which I'm not). It doesn't affect my swimming as much, except for kicking a bit, which is slower. But it's very annoying and healing feels very, very slow. I've done ASTYM and physical therapy but it only helped so much. Right now I'm considering getting a cortizone shot or maybe prolotherapy. It's very frustrating. Any help or advice would be appreciated!
JIM
My brother-in-law had plantar fasciitis and finally had surgery. He got a "sinus tarsi implant". It sounds like it is appropriate for people who hyperpronate.
Main page with a picture of the implant:
graphicsdept.com/.../home.htm
Before/after photos, x-rays, and video:
graphicsdept.com/.../beforeafter.htm
Strange you should post this as I was diagnosed with anterior tibial tendonitis just last week. I think the combination of a 9 mile run on a Saturday followed by a swim that included quite a bit of kicking with hard fins on Sunday was not appreciated by my tendon. Interestingly, the podiatrist told me I could still run but to cut back on the swimming (and definitely no fins). I have no pain while running or swimming--only after I rest my foot awhile. It's very stiff/sore when I get up in the morning. It hasn't gotten any worse, but it's also not seeming to get much better. I probably haven't avoided swimming/kicking as much as I should have so I'll be cutting back this week. And I may limit my running as well. Annoying. I have nothing helpful to tell you, just that I sympathize! Hang in there.
Yeah, I read about the sinus tarsi implants. The bad news is if you google carefully you'll discover that most insurance doesn't pay for it. It's considered "investigational and experimental". They'd rather people suffer through a tendon transplant and a reset heel bone (that's a good part of what they do for PTT surgery) than give a reversible procedure with a short recovery a try. Why am I not surprised.
I've had an MRI-it shows fluid around the tendons but basically intact tendons. I think everyone posting to this thread can agree that foot pain sucks. When I start swimming again (stitches out the 24th) I will be making friends with the pull buoy. The problem with too much pull buoy is that I've also had tendonitis in my elbow before and have to be careful not to aggravate that.
I'm just hoping my only water exercise option doesn't come down to deep water aerobics. Nice ladies but I'd rather be swimming.
My doctor has also told me to make an appt with a rheumatologist because of questionable results on an anti nuclear antibody test. One test was positive, one negative. This can be associated with lupus or it can mean absolutely nothing.
Off to get a dr appt.
Jan
Yeah, I read about the sinus tarsi implants. The bad news is if you google carefully you'll discover that most insurance doesn't pay for it. It's considered "investigational and experimental". They'd rather people suffer through a tendon transplant and a reset heel bone (that's a good part of what they do for PTT surgery) than give a reversible procedure with a short recovery a try. Why am I not surprised.
I think my brother-in-law's was covered - the doctors are learning how to code it when they bill the insurance company. My brother-in-law is pretty happy with the implant so far. He had it done about 5 months ago. He's walking, biking, and has just started running again.
