An inflammatory problem prevalent in athletes, goose foot tendonitis affects the three tendons that connect together inside the knee.
This type of tendonitis affects the three muscles that help stabilize the knee in flexion, which can make the pain particularly debilitating.
Due to its mobility-sensitive nature, goose foot tendonitis requires rapid medical intervention.
Here is what we know about goose foot tendonitis and how to manage it while protecting yourself from relapses.
Recognize the symptoms of inflammation
Similar to knee osteoarthritis or patellofemoral syndrome, goose foot tendonitis develops gradually.
The symptoms associated with it are generally localized as follows:
- Severe pain felt 4 or 5 centimetres below the knee, just above the tibia
- Discomfort that worsens while walking, climbing or descending
- Swelling in the joint area
- Formation of a nodule in the affected area (ball of scar tissue)
- Pain that persists even at night and extends to the rest of the leg
- Top of the tibia is sensitive to touch
Unfortunately these symptoms should normally be severe enough to slow you down in your daily routine.
As soon as these symptoms appear, it is important to seek the help of a professional such as a podiatrist. Your podiatrist will be able to recommend various therapeutic treatments to reduce the pain.If, however, the symptoms of tendonitis continue to progress, it is recommended that you consult your doctor.
Causes and high-risk individuals
Goose foot tendonitis traditionally occurs as a result of excessive knee strain.
This can of course be a condition that plagues athletes, but not exclusively.
The following factors can contribute to the development of goose foot tendonitis:
- Regular practice of an impact sport: For example, football, tennis, jogging, athletics or cycling
- Obesity: Overloading of the joints causes them to wear out prematurely
- Age: There is a prevalence of this tendonitis in women over 50 years of age
- A physically demanding professional activity: This is particularly true for a profession that requires carrying heavy loads and simultaneous knee bending.
For some people, the presence of other medical conditions may also be a factor in the development of goose foot tendonitis:
- Unusual alignment of the feet (duck feet)
- Weakness in the knee cartilage
- Flat feet
- Osteoarthritis of the knee
- Genu valgum (knock-knee)
If you think you may belong to a group at risk of developing goose foot tendonitis, you may want to ask your podiatrist for advice.
Prevent goose foot tendonitis
Like many painful lower limb conditions, goose foot tendonitis is not immune to preventive measures.
To avoid having to undergo a long treatment process, here are some practical methods to help keep tendonitis at bay:
- Make sure you are properly hydrated to avoid weakening your tendons
- Avoid overstraining your tendons by taking a rest period between sports activities
- Choose a gentler sport such as yoga
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Wear shoes that are adapted to your body shape and lifestyle
Unfortunately, adopting preventive techniques is not always enough to protect against goose foot tendonitis.
These options can provide temporary relief from pain when it develops:
- Full discontinuation of activities that cause pain to appear
- Implementation of a targeted stretching routine
- Use of self-massage techniques and a foam roller
- Daily application of cold compresses on the sore knee
These solutions, although generally effective, do not always completely cure tendonitis.
This is why the podiatrist’s therapeutic input should not be ignored.
Treat goose foot tendonitis
The pain associated with goose foot tendonitis is similar to that of other knee conditions, so a professional diagnosis is very important.
During a visit to the clinic, the podiatrist takes into account the patient’s history and lifestyle.
Once the diagnosis has been made, the podiatrist will suggest the treatment that best suits the gravity of the condition.
Normally, the preferred treatments include:
- Stopping the movement that results in overstressing the goose foot
- Modifying training techniques
- A prescription for plantar orthotics
In a case where all conventional treatments fail, surgery may be considered, with an orthopedic surgeon.However, your podiatrist will always do their best to propose conservative alternatives.
