Is Swimming OK for Foot Tendinitis?

Inflammation of the tendons in your foot results in foot tendinitis. Foot tendinitis treatment can involve a period of rest to eliminate the stress placed on the tendons of your foot, steroid injections, splinting and exercises to improve the muscle balance and flexibility of your foot. Swimming can allow you to stay in shape while allowing the tendons in your foot to rest.

Types

Tendinitis refers to any acute injury to a tendon. The location of the pain, swelling and inflammation help determine the type of foot tendinitis. Common locations include along the top, outside, arch and behind the heel of the foot and along the inside of the ankle. Each location has different name, including anterior tibial, peroneal, posterior tibial, Achilles, extensor and flexor tendonitis. The most common form of foot tendinitis is Achilles tendinitis, according to Dr. Lara Allman, a podiatrist for Advanced Foot and Ankle Services at DuBois Regional Medical Center in DuBois, Pennsylvania 1.

Causes

Pronation Foot Exercises

Learn More

Tendinitis occurs when a tendon is placed under too much stress, which can result from a sudden increase in physical activity, excessive standing, walking without shoes for extended periods of time or twisting the foot or ankle. As you enter middle age, suffer from certain types of arthritis, have flat feet or have extra bone under your tendon, the stresses placed on your feet during everyday activities can also lead to tendinitis. You may experience a deterioration of the tendons in your foot, which increases the stress placed on your tendons, Allman says.

Swimming With Tendinitis

The first step in treating foot tendinitis involves reducing the stress by reducing or eliminating weight-bearing activity. Swimming provides you with an opportunity to maintain your fitness level or exercise routine even when you do not have permission to walk. The cool water of an unheated pool may help reduce inflammation, and the warm water of a heated pool can improve blood flow, increasing the effectiveness of foot stretches designed to add flexibility to foot muscles and decrease the stress on your tendons. Stretch the foot, ankle and leg muscles before and after each swimming workout to decrease your risk of worsening your tendinitis. Allman notes that severe forms may make swimming difficult because of reduced mobility of your foot, even in water.

Prevention

Ankle Pain & Swimming

Learn More

Prevention of tendinitis reduces the amount of time you have to spend performing swimming workouts instead of the workout of your choice. Avoid pushing yourself too hard by slowly increasing your endurance or stamina while on your feet exercising. Gentle stretching of the muscles of your feet, ankle and lower legs increases the flexibility of the muscles connected to your tendons and decreases stress on the tendons. Wear shoes or inserts that support your foot properly throughout your activities to further decrease stress.