Are you dealing with pain or discomfort when going up stairs? You move your foot in a specific pattern as you move it upwards to the next step, and if this positioning is causing discomfort, there may be a specific foot issue lurking beneath the surface. In today’s blog, we take a closer look at why walking up stairs can cause discomfort in your feet, and we share some treatment options.
Pain When Walking Up Stairs – The Hidden Culprit
If you’re dealing with pain when walking up stairs or when traversing up an incline, it may be a wise move to connect with a foot and ankle specialist who can take a closer look at your feet and provide an individualized diagnosis, but oftentimes this type of discomfort is brought on by a specific issue known as Anterior Tibialis Tendonitis. It is categorized by inflammation or injury to the anterior tibialis tendon, which runs down the front of your ankle. It plays an important role in pulling up the foot into a dorsiflexion position, so if it is damaged, you can understand why traversing up a flight of stairs can be uncomfortable.
Aside from discomfort when walking up stairs or an incline, symptoms of anterior tibialis tendonitis include:
- Tenderness
- Swelling
- Discomfort when turning the foot inward
- Symptoms that worsen with activity
Anterior tibilis tendonitis tends to be more common in athletes and those who put a lot of strain on their feet without enough recovery time, but individuals with flat feet, older adults and those with a previous foot injury are also at a heightened risk for the condition.
Treating Anterior Tibialis Tendonitis
As with most types of tendonitis, the condition tends to respond well to weeks of targeted conservative care. Most treatment plans will involve rest or tendon protection in the form of bracing, casts, heel lifts or other protective orthotics. The goal isn’t to completely remove all stress from the foot, because that can cause supportive structures to weaken, but you want to limit excessive strain while healing is running its course. Rest and activity modification will be paired with a combination of other treatment techniques, including:
- Anti-inflammatory medications
- Physical therapy
- Stretching exercises
- Heat/Cold therapy
Most patients will see their symptoms decrease or resolve after 4-8 weeks of conservative efforts, but it’s wise not to fall back into old habits once anterior tibialis tendonitis has resolved. Gradually increase the amount of stress you put on your feet, and be sure to give your body enough time to fully heal after strenuous activity. It’s also wise to stretch your lower body well before activity and ensure you’re wearing shoes that are protective and supportive of your feet and the tendons that will be stressed during specific activities.
Pain when walking up stairs is a sign of anterior tibialis tendonitis, but the condition typically responds well to proactive treatment, so make some smart choices and get back to navigating stairs with ease. For more information on treating common or specific foot and ankle ailments, connect with Dr. Silverman and the team at OrthoArizona today at (602) 648-5444.