Tibialis Posterior is a very strong muscle, which is the deepest of all the calf muscles in the lower leg. The tendon of this muscle forms just above the ankle and runs under the inside ankle bone (medial malleolus) before finishing at the inside of the arch of the foot ( the navicular bone).
The Tibialis Posterior muscle helps to plantar-flex the foot when you push off to take a step and also helps to maintain the arch of the foot. When the Tibialis Posterior tendon is injured or under a lot of strain, especially when people have a low arch height, it becomes very weak and cannot function normally. This tendon has a very poor blood supply in some areas and never heals properly once injured. This can result in the foot rolling inward too much (overpronation) and the arch collapsing.
For many years podiatrists have prescribed orthotics (prescription foot supports) for children and adults with this problem. In addition to orthotics, podiatrists at Foot Life normally give advice regarding exercises to strengthen the tibialis posterior muscle and to stretch the other calf muscles.
In severe cases, surgery by a podiatric surgeon or orthopaedic surgeon to reconstruct the longitudinal arch of the foot is required.
Tibialis Posterior Dysfunction
Tibialis Posterior is a very strong muscle, which is the deepest of all the calf muscles in the lower leg. The tendon of this muscle forms just above the ankle and runs under the inside ankle bone (medial malleolus) before finishing at the inside of the arch of the foot ( the navicular bone).
The Tibialis Posterior muscle helps to plantar-flex the foot when you push off to take a step and also helps to maintain the arch of the foot. When the Tibialis Posterior tendon is injured or under a lot of strain, especially when people have a low arch height, it becomes very weak and cannot function normally. This tendon has a very poor blood supply in some areas and never heals properly once injured. This can result in the foot rolling inward too much (overpronation) and the arch collapsing.
For many years podiatrists have prescribed orthotics (prescription foot supports) for children and adults with this problem. In addition to orthotics, podiatrists at Foot Life normally give advice regarding exercises to strengthen the tibialis posterior muscle and to stretch the other calf muscles.
In severe cases, surgery by a podiatric surgeon or orthopaedic surgeon to reconstruct the longitudinal arch of the foot is required.