Extensor tendinitis of the foot: A physical therapist’s guide to improving inflammation in the foot

The extensor tendons in your foot help you move your toes and flex your foot toward you. They connect the bottom tip of your lower leg bones to muscles in the top of your foot. When these tendons are strained or inflamed from overuse, they can cause a lot of foot pain. 

This condition is called extensor tendinitis of the foot. You also have extensor tendons in the back of your hands, so you can get extensor tendinitis of the hand as well. Athletes, people who spend a lot of time on their feet, individuals with excess weight, and those with conditions like flat feet, arthritis or diabetes are more likely to develop it.

There are a few different ways to relieve pain from extensor tendinitis of the foot and speed up your healing process. This article is your guide to treatments for extensor tendinitis of the foot.

What home remedies can help with extensor tendinitis of the foot?

The first thing to try at home for extensor tendinitis of the foot is RICE, which stands for rest, ice, compression and elevation. You can also take an NSAID pain reliever and avoid activities that aggravate the pain while you’re recovering. When your pain subsides, it’s important to gently stretch the tops of your feet and your calves after exercise. You can also strengthen these areas to avoid more pain in the future. 

What physical therapy treatments help with extensor tendinitis of the foot?

If you’ve tried the above treatments at home and your pain hasn’t improved, you should see a physical therapist for an assessment. They can help you understand why your foot is hurting and create a specific treatment plan for you based on your symptoms.

Physical therapists use a combination of the following treatments to relieve extensor tendinitis of the foot:

• Therapeutic exercises and stretching — Your PT will develop an exercise program to help you reduce the stiffness and inflammation in the tendons of your foot. They’ll adjust it as you go so you can maintain pain-free movement.
• Manual therapy — Your PT may use their hands to break up stiff, sore tissue and increase your range of motion.
• Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) — IASTM is like manual therapy, except your PT will use a set of stainless steel tools to gently rub across the tops of your feet.
• Dry needling — In more severe cases of extensor tendinitis of the foot, physical therapists may use long, thin needles to stimulate healing.
• Kinesiology taping — This treatment will help support muscles that are putting stress on your extensor tendons. Your PT will apply fabric adhesive tape that stays on for up to a couple of weeks.

What should I do if I have symptoms of extensor tendinitis of the foot?

If you have symptoms of extensor tendinitis of the foot and the above home remedies aren’t helping, you should see a physical therapist. When left untreated, this condition can turn into chronic pain and more severe injuries. 

At Advent Physical Therapy, we treat each of our patients with care for their unique symptoms and health history. Ready to get some relief so you can go back to doing the things you love? Call us or request an appointment today to get in touch with one of our experienced PTs.