8 symptoms of a tear in the tendon of the foot

A torn tendon in your foot can be very painful, especially while you’re moving it or putting weight on it. Tendinitis in the feet typically begins with pain and inflammation as a result of overuse. You may develop a larger tear over time, and it’s also possible to tear a foot tendon during a traumatic injury. 

The human foot is incredibly complex. It contains 26 bones, and 29 muscles that are responsible for movement in the foot. The connective tissue that attaches muscles to bones are your tendons. People usually feel pain from tendinitis in the top or outer edge of their feet. It may not seem like these muscles, bones and tendons move around a lot, but they play important roles in walking and maintaining balance.

This article lists eight common symptoms people experience when they have a torn tendon in their foot. 

How can I tell if I have a torn tendon in my foot?

The only way to find out for sure if a tendon in your foot is torn is to have an imaging test done, like an ultrasound or an MRI. A physical therapist or a podiatrist can do some assessments to determine what parts of your foot are injured and how they’re affecting your movement. This helps them create your personalized treatment plan.

If you’ve torn a tendon in your foot, you’ll likely feel pain in your foot or ankle. It might feel like the pain is radiating up your lower leg or down into your foot. Your pain may be worse during or after activities that put strain on your feet.

If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, you should seek treatment to find out if you have a torn tendon in your foot:

1. Pain in the foot or ankle
2. Snapping or popping sounds
3. Swelling, redness or warmth 
4. Weakness in the foot or ankle
5. Stiffness in the tendon after periods of inactivity
6. Bruising
7. Reduced range of motion
8. Thickening of the tendon

Find relief for a torn foot tendon at Advent Physical Therapy

Several different physical therapy treatments can help with a torn foot tendon. At Advent PT, our therapists know that each person’s anatomy and their condition are unique. That’s why we begin with a thorough assessment and listen to gain an understanding of your symptoms. We use a variety of manual techniques and other evidence-based treatments to relieve different types of foot pain.

If you’ve been having foot pain symptoms for a week or more, it’s time to find out what’s happening and how you can start feeling better. Call us or request an appointment today to meet with one of our licensed physical therapists.