Foot Surgery Might Be The Right Solution For Your Posterior Tibialis Tendon Dysfunction

If you've been diagnosed with posterior tibialis tendon dysfunction (PTTD), your podiatrist might recommend surgery when other treatments don't help. This foot condition is a fairly common result of an injury or repetitive action that affects the posterior tibialis tendon. Injury to the tendon can cause your foot arch to fall and cause pain, especially when you play sports. Here's a look at having foot surgery for PTTD.

Why Surgery Is Sometimes Needed For PTTD

The posterior tibialis tendon attaches to the inside of your ankle and runs up to your calf. When this tendon is injured, your arch might fall and lead to chronic foot pain. You can also have pain in your foot when you walk or play sports. Your podiatrist will probably try treatments such as rest, foot injections, orthotics, and physical therapy to help the tendon heal.

When the injury is severe, or when treatments don't help, surgery becomes an option to improve the quality of your life. Living with foot pain can affect you in several ways. You might become less active, give up sports, or have difficulty keeping up with your job. PTTD foot surgery could reduce pain and help you regain full mobility.

How The Surgery Is Done

This foot surgery is usually an outpatient procedure, so you probably won't need a hospital stay. The exact nature of the surgery depends on the way your tendon was injured. The tendon might just need damaged tissue removed, or you might need to have a tendon graft. You might even need the entire tendon replaced, or have surgery on the bones in your foot, including a bone graft.

What Recovering From PTTD Foot Surgery Is Like

You'll need time to recover from this type of foot surgery. The length of your recovery depends on the type of surgery you have and whether you have an open or minimally invasive procedure. Expect to have some pain after the surgery, but you can control it by keeping your foot elevated and taking medication.

You probably won't be able to bear your weight right away, so you may need crutches or a knee walker so you can get around. You may need to wear a cast or boot on your foot for a few months. It could take several months for your healing to be complete. Once you've healed, you should be free from foot pain. Plus, you might be able to resume all of your usual activities. However, it's important to follow all of your podiatrist's instructions when it comes to the activities you can do and how soon you can start doing them. Contact a podiatrist to learn more about foot surgery.