Foot and Ankle Tendonitis and Bursitis

Tendonitis occurs when the bands of tissue that connect your bones becomes inflamed. Bursas are small, fluid-filled sacs that form cushions between your bones and other body parts like muscles, tendons or skin. Bursitis is when a bursa becomes injured or inflamed.

Tendonitis and bursitis are most often the result of overuse, injury, strain and frequent, repetitive motion. The most common types of tendonitis and bursitis in the feet and ankles are Achilles tendinitis, high arches and posterior tibial tendon dysfunction, also known as PTTD or flatfoot.

Diagnosing Tendonitis & Bursitis 

Our foot and ankle specialists are skilled in identifying the cause of your foot and ankle pain.

Signs & Symptoms 

Common symptoms of foot and ankle tendonitis and bursitis include:

• Pain around the joints of your foot and ankle that gets worse with activity
• Stiffness in your foot and ankle joints
• Limited movement in your ankles and feet

Diagnosis

We can diagnose foot and ankle tendonitis and bursitis with a physical exam and one or more of the following tests:

• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)—produces detailed pictures of the bones and soft tissue in your feet and ankles.
• X-rays—of your feet and ankles.

Foot & Ankle Tendonitis & Bursitis Treatment

Treatment for foot and ankle tendonitis and bursitis depends on the cause and severity of your symptoms. We recommend starting with noninvasive treatments to reduce pain and get back to your day-to-day life.

Nonsurgical Treatments

Treatment options may include:

• Anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs)—to alleviate pain and swelling.
• Cortisone injections—to reduce inflammation and pain.
• Physical therapy—to stretch and strengthen tendons and improve mobility.
• Rest—limited activity allows your joints time to heal.
• RICE Method—Resting the joint, Icing the affected area, Compressing the area with an elastic bandage and Elevating the joint.
• Ultrasound—to warm deep tissues and improve blood flow.

Surgical Treatments

If symptoms don’t improve with conservative treatment options, we may recommend surgery to repair tears or other damage.