Peroneal tendonitis is a type of tendonitis that affects a person’s foot and ankle. This condition usually causes pain in two places, which include the outside of the foot and the outside of the lower leg. Peroneal tendonitis tends to be the most noticeable when walking or running and is often due to overuse.
At Frankel Foot & Ankle Center, we pride ourselves on educating others about various conditions that affect the foot and ankle and providing effective solutions. If you’re in Warwick, NY, Milford, PA, or Middletown, NY, read on to learn more about peroneal tendonitis and KT Tape as an effective solution.
An Overview of Peroneal Tendonitis
Peroneal tendonitis can cause great discomfort for individuals who have this condition. Let’s take a look at the causes and symptoms of peroneal tendonitis.
Causes
Peroneal tendonitis can be caused by many things and is commonly found in those who live a more active life. Some causes of peroneal tendonitis include:
- Repetitive running, especially on sloped streets: Holding your foot outward causes friction to increase between the tendon and bone, which can increase tension in this area.
- Repetitive motion: Those that engage in repetitive motion, such as those who run marathons and long-distance runners, are prone to getting peroneal tendonitis.
- Having tight calf muscles: Those with tight calf muscles are more likely to increase friction, which leads to more tension on the tendons.
- Recurrent ankle sprains: Those who experience recurrent ankle sprains are more prone to get peroneal tendonitis
While peroneal tendonitis can happen to anyone, there are certain individuals who are more at risk of developing this condition. For instance, people with high arched feet are more prone to peroneal tendonitis.
Additionally, runners who run at a fast pace or those who do interval workouts may be more prone to peroneal tendonitis. Lastly, individuals who are prone to tight calf muscles run the risk of developing peroneal tendonitis.
Symptoms
Peroneal tendonitis is generally accompanied by uncomfortable symptoms that can make it difficult to perform day-to-day activities. The immediate symptoms of this condition include pain and swelling in the ankle and generally subsides with rest. It’s important to note that if the pain doesn’t subside, you may need evaluation by a specialist as other muscles and tendons can be affected as well.
Let’s take a look at the common symptoms of peroneal tendonitis.
- A tenderness that is present behind the ankle bone
- Pain that is most intense in the morning when you first wake up in the morning
KT Tape for Peroneal Tendonitis
Peroneal tendonitis taping helps support the foot and ankle for those living with this condition. One commonly used and highly effective type of tape is the KT Tape.
KT Tape stands for Kinesiology tape. Ultimately, it is made out of elastic that provides sensory input to the muscles, while still allowing a full range of motion.
Most KT Tape uses a specific material, including a combination of cotton, spandex, and adhesive. This makes it different from athletic tape, which is another common type of tape for injuries.
How Does KT Tape Work?
When you have an injury, blood along with other fluids builds up, which causes inflammation and swelling. When there is too much inflammation, the lymphatic system can’t remove it. This causes the lymphatic vessels to become compressed, which also prevents oxygen and vital nutrients from being delivered to healing tissues.
When using KT Tape to support the injured area, the elasticity functions as a way to gently lift the skin from the tissue below. As the KT Tape lifts the skin from the tissue, it creates space to increase blood and lymphatic flow. This helps to alleviate pressure on the injury and reduce swelling. When blood flow is restored, the necessary oxygen and nutrients have a better opportunity to reach damaged tissue and enhance healing.
Benefits of KT Tape
KT Tape is one of the most effective tapes for those that have suffered an injury. Some benefits include:
- Decreased Pain: This is primarily due to the fact that KT Tape can disrupt pain signals.
- Increased circulation: KT Tape improves the circulation of oxygenated blood and lymphatic fluids.
- Muscle support: Taping your injury can enable weak muscles to operate more efficiently.
- Improved athletic performance: KT Tape helps to stabilize joints, aiding in better athletic performance
- Supports endogenous analgesic system: Regular use of KT Tape for injuries aids in the body’s own healing mechanisms to aid in the recovery process.
Other Conditions That KT Tape Can Treat
KT Tape is useful in treating a variety of conditions. Some conditions include:
Sprains
Stretched or torn ligaments cause sprains. One of the most common areas for a sprain is the ankle joint. The symptoms of a joint sprain are quite similar to a strain. This is because the injuries are similar to one another. If you have a sprain, you will notice inflammation in the injured area along with pain.
Strains
A strain is an injury that affects the muscles or tendons. If you have a minor injury, it may only stretch the muscle or tendon. But more severe injuries may involve partial or complete tears. It’s not uncommon for active individuals to experience an ankle sprain, which causes damage to the bone, ligament, or tendon. Those with this kind of strain will experience inflammation and pain similar to that of a sprain.
Subluxations
A joint subluxation is referred to as a partial dislocation of a particular joint. This condition is often due to an acute injury or from performing a repetitive motion. This is why athletes are at a higher risk of getting subluxation. Subluxations are often accompanied by pain and swelling, a sensation of joint instability, and limited mobility in the injured area.
Get the Care You Need with Frankel Foot & Ankle Center
Living with an injury that affects your foot or ankle can certainly cause discomfort. If you have peroneal tendonitis or another condition, consider us for specialized treatment and care. We offer pain-free procedures, expert care, and innovative treatments to help patients get on the road to recovery. If you’re in Warwick, NY, Milford, PA, and Middletown, NY, learn how peroneal taping can relieve pain with Frankel Foot & Ankle Center today.