How to treat extensor tendinitis of the foot?

Written by Li Jin
Orthopedics
Updated on April 02, 2025
00:00
00:00

For the treatment of extensor tendinitis of the foot, it is firstly important to rest and avoid intense activities to prevent exacerbating the symptoms, and also to avoid exposure to cold. When pain occurs, anti-inflammatory and analgesic medications can be used to alleviate inflammation and pain. Additionally, treatments such as hot compresses, foot baths, and physical therapy can be used to promote blood circulation and improve symptoms. Local block treatments can also be effective in relieving inflammation. When conservative treatments are ineffective or motion is restricted due to tissue adhesions, surgical treatment can be considered.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Na Hong Wei
Orthopedics
46sec home-news-image

Symptoms of tendonitis

The symptoms of tendonitis basically come down to three points. First, pain or a fixed tender point, generally located around joints or nearby areas, with severe cases possibly exhibiting numbness or tingling. Second, dysfunction, which is due to the stiffness of the joint associated with pain which limits joint movement, and occasionally there is mild swelling of the joint. Furthermore, if the tendon pain reoccurs from the originally damaged site and continues for a long time or recurs, it can lead to stiffness in the joint, subsequently resulting in limited joint mobility. The third point is the inflammatory response; tendonitis has specific signs of inflammation, including redness, swelling, heat, pain, and dysfunction.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Na Hong Wei
Orthopedics
38sec home-news-image

Can tendinitis be treated with a cortisone injection?

Can a cortisone injection be used for tendinitis? From a clinical perspective, for tendinitis, other conservative treatments such as physical therapy, massage, and oral medications can be used. When treatments like phototherapy are ineffective or not yielding results, a cortisone injection is certainly an option. As long as it is accurately targeted, the results of a cortisone injection are very satisfactory. In some cases of tendinitis, a cortisone injection can even achieve a curative effect. Thus, after tendinitis, a cortisone injection can definitely be used for treatment.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Na Hong Wei
Orthopedics
1min 11sec home-news-image

How to treat tendonitis and strains?

How to treat tendinitis and strain? That is, in cases with tendinitis that have also resulted in acute injury, the approach should align with treating acute injuries associated with tendinitis. Firstly, rest and immobilization. Resting helps to prevent further injury, and immobilization allows joints or tendons time to relax, rest, and repair. Secondly, apply ice. Ice should be applied to the injured area immediately after the injury. Typically, the first icing lasts for half an hour, followed by subsequent half-hour sessions every three hours, continuing up to 48 hours, after which it should switch to heat application. Thirdly, immobilize the joint or tendon. Immobilization serves two purposes: first, to prevent the injury from worsening; second, to help prevent further swelling. Fourthly, the injured limb should be elevated, raised above the level of the heart by 30 degrees. This is the internationally renowned RICE principle for treating tendon strains and injuries, focusing primarily on four aspects: rest, ice, compression, and elevation.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Lv Yao
Orthopedics
33sec home-news-image

What medicine should I take for tendinitis?

Tendonitis is an aseptic inflammatory reaction that occurs at the endpoint of a tendon due to chronic overuse or injury, causing localized pain and restricted movement. For tendonitis, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can be administered for symptomatic treatment. These drugs can reduce edema in surrounding tissues and decrease the inflammatory response, thus alleviating pain symptoms. Additionally, drugs that promote blood circulation and remove blood stasis can also be used for treatment.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Na Hong Wei
Orthopedics
1min 38sec home-news-image

What causes tendinitis?

Tendonitis refers to a type of sterile inflammation that occurs in the tendons and surrounding tissues due to various reasons. Its formation typically follows these four causes: First, acute injury, which usually occurs after the tendons are impacted violently, causing tears or ruptures and leading to an inflammatory reaction in the tendon and surrounding area. Second, long-term wear and tear. This is primarily seen in tendons that are repeatedly subjected to abnormal, unhealthy wear and tear, leading to increased tendon burden or instability at the attachment points, which then causes a surrounding inflammatory response. Third, increased tendon load, leading to damage in the tendon itself, and even causing tears and bleeding, forming a reactive inflammation. The final cause is due to excessively long exercise periods or overloading the tendons through exercise, causing tendon congestion and edema, and eventually leading to inflammation. This can occur in individuals who suddenly engage in heavy exercise after a period of inactivity, or athletes who train daily for extended periods without adequate rest, causing the tendons to be under constant stress. Over time, like a bowstring, this can lead to slackening or rupture, causing an inflammatory response around the tendon or in the tendon itself. Thus, tendonitis generally arises from the reasons mentioned above, often seen in chronic strain and improper posture during exercise, and less commonly from acute injuries and increased loads.