Peroneal tendon injuries can affect a patient’s ability to walk or exercise without pain. Receiving treatment is necessary to prevent further degradation of the injury.
The peroneal tendon is not as well-known as the Achilles tendon. Because of this, patients may not know the cause of their pain and ankle instability.
By learning more about the peroneal tendon and potential injuries, you will be better prepared to receive treatment that will protect the tendon from further damage.
Read below to find out if you need to visit Dr. Frankel to treat a peroneal tendon injury.
Treating Peroneal Tendon Injuries
What is the peroneal tendon?
Tendons are tissues that carry the force of motion from the muscle to the bone. They are made of strong fibers with collagen that make them inflexible but resistant to tearing.
Within each leg, there are two peroneal tendons that run side by side down the lower leg bone and behind the outer ankle bone. They are known as the calf tendon.
One of the peroneal tendons attaches to the outer midfoot, and the inner peroneal tendon attaches inside the arch.
The peroneal tendon keeps the foot, ankle, and leg stable to prevent sprains. It also assists with plantar flexion, or pointing the toes.
3 types of peroneal tendon injuries
Peroneal tendon injuries can be acute or chronic. There are three main types of peroneal tendon injuries:
- Tendonitis: Peroneal tendonitis is the inflammation of one or both tendons. It may be an acute injury caused by a sudden and direct trauma to the tendon or it can be a chronic injury caused by repetitive activity.
- Tears: There are two types of peroneal tears.
- Acute: An acute calf tendon tear is due to direct trauma or repetitive activity.
- Degenerative: These tears cause the tendon to become overstretched and eventually deteriorate.
- Subluxation: One or both tendons have slipped out of their normal position in subluxation, which makes the tendons vulnerable to tears or ruptures.
Peroneal tendon injuries may worsen over time without treatment, especially subluxation injuries, so visit a podiatrist immediately if you experience pain or clicking in your foot and ankle.
Causes
Peroneal tendon injuries are commonly caused by repetitive activities that place stress on the ankles, especially sports like running.
Activities that can lead to peroneal tendon injury are:
- Overuse from repetitive activity
- Poor form during training
- Footwear that is tight or provides improper support
- A sudden increase in training that places high-impact loads on the feet and ankles
Additionally, a patient’s anatomy may lead to injury. Higher foot arches, an imbalance in the muscles of the hamstrings, glutes, and calves, and joint problems may contribute to peroneal tendon problems.
Ankle injuries that have failed to heal from rehabilitation can also cause a peroneal tendon injury.
Symptoms
Symptoms of peroneal tendon injuries differ slightly depending on the condition.
For both acute and chronic peroneal tendonitis, symptoms include:
- Pain around the ankle and when moving the foot from side to side
- Swelling and warmth around the ankle
- Instability
- Pain that increases with activity
Tears in the peroneal tendon may cause:
- Pain that comes and goes on the outside of the ankle
- Instability
- Increasingly high arches that change the shape of the foot
Finally, patients with subluxation injuries may experience:
- A snapping sensation around the ankle
- Pain that comes and goes
- Instability
Diagnosis and treatment
If you experience the symptoms listed above, visit Dr. Frankel as soon as possible to prevent the injury from progressing.
Dr. Frankel will examine your foot and ankle for pain, instability, swelling, warmth, and weakness. Peroneal tendon injuries may be misdiagnosed, so Dr. Frankel may order imaging such as an X-ray, MRI, or ultrasound to correctly diagnose the condition and severity of your injury.
Conservative treatment methods may be used for mild cases of peroneal tendon injury. Nonsurgical treatments include:
- Immobilization: Patients may be prescribed a cast or splint to prevent movement that may exacerbate the injury.
- Anti-inflammatory medication: Oral or injected medication will reduce pain and inflammation at the site.
- Physical therapy: Rehabilitative practices such as ice and heat applications may be used to assist healing, as well as exercises to improve mobility, strength, and balance.
- Bracing: Bracing may be prescribed to assist the ankle during repetitive activities or for patients who are not candidates for surgery.
If the injury is severe, then you may require surgery and physical therapy to heal the peroneal tendon.
Prevention
Prevention is the easiest way to care for your feet and ankles. While not all peroneal tendon injuries can be prevented due to trauma or anatomy, you can still modify activities to prevent unnecessary wear-and-tear on your tendons.
Always warm-up before exercise. To protect the peroneal tendons and surrounding muscles, perform calf stretches. Also, gradually increase intensity when starting a new exercise routine and avoid uneven surfaces when running.
Treat your peroneal tendon injury with Dr. Frankel.
If you need to receive care for your peroneal tendon injury, visit Frankel Foot & Ankle.
With over 20 years of experience, Dr. Frankel will provide the proper diagnosis and treatment for your specific condition and get you back to your favorite activities pain-free.
Make an appointment today.
Dr. Frankel founded Frankel Foot & Ankle to provide patients in Pennsylvania, New York, and New Jersey tri-state area with the latest advances in diagnostic technology and treatment for sports medicine conditions, foot and ankle trauma response, and innovative surgical and regenerative approaches. Contact Frankel Foot & Ankle today.
