Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 27, 2026
A Passive Ankle Dorsiflexion Testing System for an In Vivo Model of Overuse-induced Tendinopathy
Published on: March 1, 2024
Nonsurgical management of posterior tibial tendon dysfunction with orthoses and resistive exercise: a randomized
Kornelia Kulig1, Stephen F Reischl, Amy B Pomrantz
1Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy, University of Southern California, 1540 E Alcazar St, CHP-155, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA. kulig@usc.edu
Background And Purpose:
Tibialis posterior tendinopathy can lead to debilitating dysfunction. This study examined the effectiveness of orthoses and resistance exercise in the early management of tibialis posterior tendinopathy.
Subjects:
Thirty-six adults with stage I or II tibialis posterior tendinopathy participated in this study.
Methods:
Participants were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups to complete a 12-week program of: (1) orthoses wear and stretching (O group); (2) orthoses wear, stretching, and concentric progressive resistive exercise (OC group); or (3) orthoses wear, stretching, and eccentric progressive resistive exercise (OE group). Pre-intervention and post-intervention data (Foot Functional Index, distance traveled in the 5-Minute Walk Test, and pain immediately after the 5-Minute Walk Test) were collected.
Results:
Foot Functional Index scores (total, pain, and disability) decreased in all groups after the intervention. The OE group demonstrated the most improvement in each subcategory, and the O group demonstrated the least improvement. Pain immediately after the 5-Minute Walk Test was significantly reduced across all groups after the intervention.
Discussion And Conclusion:
People with early stages of tibialis posterior tendinopathy benefited from a program of orthoses wear and stretching. Eccentric and concentric progressive resistive exercises further reduced pain and improved perceptions of function.