5 Treatments for Sinus Tarsi Syndrome (STS)
Jun 01 , 2021
Tags - Treatments for Sinus Tarsi Syndrome STS
The Sinus Tarsi is a tunnel near the joint of your ankle, which consists of several soft tissues, nerves and blood vessels that contribute to the stability of the ankle.
So, Sinus Tarsi Syndrome (STS) is a clinical condition where pain arises between the ankle and the heel as a result of traumatic injuries - most commonly from long-term ankle sprains.
However, it can also be caused from overuse, such as repetitive standing or walking, or from an over pronated foot which causes extra strain.
And, the reason why it’s considered a syndrome is because there’s a group of symptoms that characterise it, which includes ankle pain, a feeling of instability, difficulty walking on uneven surfaces, swelling and tenderness.
Here are 5 treatment options when suffering from STS.
1. RICE
RICE stands for Rest, Ice, Compression and. Elevate.
As such, when you have STS, resting the foot and ankle is a very important part of your recovery, to help reduce blood flow and thus swelling.
In other words, limit the amount of weight you would normally put on your ankle; you may need to use crutches.
Secondly, ice should be applied for around 20 minutes every couple of hours.
Next, the ankle needs to be compressed so apply an elastic bandage around the injury - this should be firm but not tight.
Last but not least, elevation involves lying with your ankle resting above the level of your heart.
2. Physiotherapy
When suffering from ankle injuries, physiotherapy is important to your treatment.
Initially, a physiotherapist will provide you with a diagnosis and explain the extent of the damage with an estimated timeframe for recovery.
Then, they will advise techniques for you to perform in order to reduce the pain, enhance healing and restore the ankle to its full function.
Therefore, exercises will be based on a full range of motion, strengthening the muscles around the ankle and improving your balance.
3. Steroid Injections
A steroid injection for the foot or ankle can reduce swelling, stiffness and pain.
Because, the steroid acts like the natural hormone which your body produces to stop inflammation.
In most cases, steroid injections are only prescribed when medication or physiotherapy is ineffective.
However, sometimes steroid injections will be used alongside other treatments.
Once you’ve had an injection, you can expect to feel pain relief within a few hours or days; depending on the type you receive.
So, this can be very effective in easing foot and ankle pain.
4. Orthotics/Insoles
When STS occurs because of over pronated feet, special insoles can be used to decrease pronation.
Furthermore, orthotics can be used to improve foot and ankle biomechanics and help to redistribute stress placed on the ankle joint, as well as support the ankle and add stability for more control.
5. Footwear
When choosing footwear with STS, you should opt for shoes with good support with a secure fastening.
In addition, shoes should have a firm heel counter which is at the back of the shoe and wraps around the heel, as this will prevent the heel from wobbling.
As well as this, the shoes should have a solid midsole so it doesn’t bend easily in the middle, but allows some flexibility near the toes - a firm midsole resists the foot from collapsing when it rolls in.
Lastly, you should try to go for shoes with low heels as this will be useful in reducing motion.
Summary
STS is a painful condition that affects the ankle, and is associated with previous sprains, over-pronations and other inflammatory conditions.
The above treatments can be used to alleviate symptoms from STS by reducing the pressure placed upon the ankle joints.
Get in touch for more information.
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