As a general rule, as long as the foot can be brought to a normal position with gentle pressure, there is no need for concern. In the first year of life, many babies have feet that naturally assume an in-toe or out-toe position. Visit our website, like our page on Facebook, and follow our tweets on Twitter.Your doctor will check your newborn's feet after he is born to rule out significant birth defects. If you believe have a foot problem and do not currently see a podiatrist, call one of our six locations to make an appointment. Your foot and ankle surgeon will determine the best approach for you. For some advanced cases, surgery may be the only option. In cases of PTTD that have progressed substantially or have failed to improve with non-surgical treatment, surgery may be required. Shoe modifications. Your foot and ankle surgeon may advise changes to make with your shoes and may provide special inserts designed to improve arch support.Medications. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs ( NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, help reduce the pain and inflammation.Physical therapy. Ultrasound therapy and exercises may help rehabilitate the tendon and muscle following immobilization.Immobilization. Sometimes a short-leg cast or boot is worn to immobilize the foot and allow the tendon to heal, or you may need to completely avoid all weight-bearing for a while.

Orthotic devices or bracing. To give your arch the support it needs, your foot and ankle surgeon may provide you with an ankle brace or a custom orthotic device that fits into the shoe.

In many cases of PTTD, treatment can begin with non-surgical approaches that may include: In contrast, untreated PTTD could leave you with an extremely flat foot, painful arthritis in the foot and ankle, and increasing limitations on walking, running, or other activities. If treated early enough, your symptoms may resolve without the need for surgery and progression of your condition can be arrested. In more severe cases, arthritis may also develop in the ankle.īecause of the progressive nature of PTTD, early treatment is advised.

The tendon has deteriorated considerably and arthritis often develops in the foot. But at this point, the foot and toes begin to turn outward and the ankle rolls inward.Īs PTTD becomes more advanced, the arch flattens even more and the pain often shifts to the outside of the foot, below the ankle. Later, as the arch begins to flatten, there may still be pain on the inside of the foot and ankle. In addition, the area may be red, warm, and swollen. As the condition progresses, the symptoms will change.įor example, when PTTD initially develops, there is pain on the inside of the foot and ankle (along the course of the tendon). The symptoms of PTTD may include pain, swelling, a flattening of the arch, and an inward rolling of the ankle. In fact, the symptoms usually occur after activities that involve the tendon, such as running, walking, hiking, or climbing stairs. Overuse of the posterior tibial tendon is often the cause of PTTD. PTTD is usually progressive, which means it will keep getting worse, especially if it isn't treated early. Although this condition typically occurs in only one foot, some people may develop it in both feet. PTTD is often called 'adult acquired flatfoot' because it is the most common type of flatfoot developed during adulthood. Posterior tibial tendon dysfunction (PTTD) is a condition caused by changes in the tendon, impairing its ability to support the arch. The posterior tibial tendon serves as one of the major supporting structures of the foot, helping it to function while walking.

Feet point outward