A small amount of fluid in the tendon sheath of the posterior tibial tendon can be caused by a number of factors, which may be related to overstrain, trauma, or exposure to cold.
Normally, there is a small amount of synovial fluid inside the tendon sheath to lubricate the joint and reduce friction, whereas tendon sheath effusion refers to a condition where, inside the tendon sheath, there is a large amount of inflammatory fluid buildup. These are generally associated with overstrain, trauma, and catching cold.
1. Overstrain: Tendon sheath effusion occurs when the patient overuses a particular muscle.
2. Trauma: Trauma leads to infection of the wound, which further triggers inflammation, thus creating a tendon sheath effusion.
3. Exposure to cold: Certain studies have shown that exposure to cold can also lead to tendon sheath effusion to some extent.
There are other possible causes of tibialis posterior tendon sheath effusion, and it is recommended to consult a specialist if prolonged tendon sheath effusion interferes with daily activities.