Peroneal Tendon Injury

What are common peroneal tendon injuries?

Your peroneal tendons are two bands of connective tissue that run next to each other, connecting your leg to your foot and ankle. One peroneal tendon attaches to the outside of your foot near your Lisfranc joint, and the other extends under your foot connecting to the arch. They stabilize your foot and help prevent sprains. 

However, you can develop acute or chronic peroneal injuries. Peroneal tendon injuries are common in athletes. Some of the common peroneal tendon injuries include tendonitis, degenerative tears, acute tears, and subluxation.

Tendonitis is a painful inflammatory condition that typically follows repetitive strain or trauma like an ankle sprain. Degenerative tears also stem from repetitive strain that stretches your tendons until they become thin and fray. Acute tears happen more rapidly than degenerative tears but could be caused by repetitive stress or a traumatic injury. A subluxation occurs when one or both of your peroneal tendons slip out of place. 

What are the signs of a peroneal tendon injury?

Pain and swelling along the outside of your ankle and foot and in your arch are common signs of a peroneal tendon injury. You might also feel like your ankle is weak or unstable. When left untreated, peroneal injuries can change the shape of your foot and make your arch higher.

What’s the process for diagnosing a peroneal tendon injury?

If you have foot or ankle pain, it’s critical to make an appointment with the experts at Hosey and Murphy Foot & Ankle Centers. If you continue to walk or train with an untreated injury, you increase your risk of more severe injuries requiring more invasive treatments.

Your podiatrist examines your foot and ankle, checking for swelling, warmth, and weakness. They might order an X-ray or MRI to examine the internal structures of your ankle in more detail. Peroneal tendon injuries often accompany ankle sprains, so your podiatrist also looks for signs of other contributing injuries or problems.

What are the nonsurgical options for treating my peroneal tendon injury?

The expert podiatrists at Hosey and Murphy Foot & Ankle Centers provide customized treatment plans to help your peroneal tendon injury heal. Whenever possible, they use nonsurgical options such as:

• Immobilization with a cast, splint, or boot
• Oral or injected anti-inflammatory medicine
• Physical therapy
• Bracing
• RICE (rest, ice, compression, elevation) method

However, depending on the severity of your condition, your podiatrist might recommend surgery to repair your peroneal tendon and other supporting structures in your foot. 

Call Hosey and Murphy Foot & Ankle Centers or make an appointment online today for expert treatment for peroneal tendon injuries.