Tibialis Posterior Pain Health Video

Tibialis Posterior pain is a degenerative form of pain. Learn more about what it is and how to treat it in this medical video clip.

Take Action

Exercise your foot muscles
Use anti-inflammatory medication
Surgery may be needed

About this Author

Medical Director Thomas Clanton, M.D., is also professor in the department of orthopedic surgery at The University of Texas Medical School at Houston. Board certified since 1984, Dr. Clanton is a former president of the Texas Society for Sports Medicine. Associate editor of Foot and Ankle International, he is widely published and lectures throughout the United States, Mexico, Japan and Europe.Dr. Clanton currently serves on the Board of Councilors of the International Federation of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. Dr, Clanton has been a team physician for the Rice University Athletic Department since 1982, as well as being a team orthopedist for the Houston Texans since 2001 and head team physician for the Houston Rockets since 2005.

DR. THOMAS CLANTON: Tibialis posterior pain refers to a condition that occurs in the foot related to the tibialis posterior muscle from the leg as it attaches into the tendon which runs behind the inside bone of the ankle called the medial malleolus and then that tendon attaches to the bone in the foot called the navicular bone. The posterior tibial tendon commonly becomes irritated from overuse or through degenerative change and that can become a problem that can cause a flatfoot deformity. This is particularly common in middle-aged females related to changes that occur from having walked in high-heeled shoes for many years or from putting a great deal of stress on the arch of their foot in other ways. This tear in the tendon or this stretching of the tendon can produce flatfoot that causes pain. It will sometimes cause swelling. And when the deformity becomes bad enough, it can even create problems with the ability of the foot to come up on the toes and hold that position. This can be prevented by wearing supportive shoe ware, by wearing orthotic devices within the shoes to provide support to the arch, by doing strengthening exercises for the muscle and tendons, and when it does become inflamed treating it quickly with anti-inflammatory measures such as anti-inflammatory medication, ice, compression and elevation for the swelling. When it becomes a more severe problem, occasionally this does require surgery and you should have it evaluated by your foot care specialist.