Diagnosis
The diagnosis of tendonitis is usually based on a medical history and a physical examination by a physician. Meanwhile, the doctor will perform some functional tests of the muscle and examine the area of the tendon for possible redness, swelling, overheating or pressure pain. An example of such a functional test is the isometric test, where the doctor pulls the foot slightly downwards while the patient pulls it up-outside or up-inside.
If the tibialis posterior tendon is inflamed, this leads to pain in the calf. Standing on the toes can also cause pain. Usually the physical examination is sufficient to suspect an inflammation of the tendon, but in some cases further examinations may be necessary to confirm the diagnosis.
In the course of a blood test, inflammation parameters in the blood could be detected. In addition, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or ultrasound can help.
