Suppose you or your family member complains of pain around the back and on the outside of the foot. Chances are, there was some injury or damage to the tendons. Specifically, there could be micro-tears, tendon damage, or inflammation of the tendons that link the peroneal muscles in the calf to the bones within the foot. This condition is referred to as peroneal tendonitis. Those affected by it will often report pain that worsens with any activity. But how can peroneal tendonitis taping help relieve the pain? Find out below.
What is Peroneal Tendonitis?
Also known as peroneal tendinopathy, peroneal tendonitis is an injury of the peroneal tendons within the ankle. These particular tendons are essential as they help stabilize both the foot and ankle and are primary to protecting these from sprains.
Admittedly, runners are more predisposed to the risk of getting injured as the ankle takes the most significant impact during exercise. Note that the condition develops with time and is often a result of overuse. This happens when the peroneal muscle-tendon complex becomes overworked.
Causes and Symptoms
You do not have to be an athlete or specifically a runner to suffer peroneal tendonitis. If you engage in a new exercise that requires repetitive use of the ankle, you stand the chance of suffering from this condition. In the event that you run along slopes, which in effect makes your foot roll out in a somewhat of a cyclic motion, you stand a greater chance of suffering from the same.
Symptoms that you are likely to experience include:
- Aching pain on the outside of the ankle. Especially when you put some pressure on the said ankle or involve yourself in physical activity.
- Pain that seems to decrease with rest.
- Swelling or tenderness behind the ankle bone or outside the ankle.
- Pain and weakness when you move the ankle in an outward motion.
- Pain in the event that you push the ball of your feet into the ground.
- Excruciating pain if you walk on a terrain that has some form of slope on it.
Before self-diagnosis and the ultimate seeking of a solution, you want to consider a couple of things. These include:
- How the injury in question occurred.
- The care for the particular injury. This includes what the consulted health provider ordered.
- The amount of pain, the particular location where the same is experienced, and its intensity.
- The amount of activity undertaken which would then give an estimated evaluation of the extent of the damage.
Peroneal Tendonitis Taping as a Treatment
Leaving peroneal tendonitis can lead to the likelihood of a tear. The latter significantly increases the chances of a sprained ankle, or even worse, nerve damage. It would therefore be prudent to seek out treatment and follow a recovery program sternly. There are a number of nonsurgical treatment options available. Among them, we have immobilization, medication, physical therapy, bracing, and cortisone injection.
The RICE principle (rest, ice, compression, elevation), anti-inflammatory medications like Advil, messages, and stretches promise to reduce the discomfort and pain the patient suffers. However, they do not take account of the repetitive motion that the ankle or the foot is likely going to be exposed to throughout the day.
That’s where peroneal tendonitis taping comes in. The technique helps reduce the chances of further deterioration while still providing the patient with the necessary flexibility. At the tenet of this treatment is the idea that you should still have some support even as you stretch this group of muscles, and consequently, the tendons.
Note that with peroneal tendonitis taping, you are likely going to make a full recovery. You want to consistently keep tabs on the ease of movement and strength of both the foot and the ankle. What’s more, you want to keep a close eye on the intensity of the pain you feel even as you keep on with the treatment plan that you have been put on. Overall, it would be detrimental to not consider whether you have been experiencing acute or chronic pain at the points highlighted.
Techniques for Peroneal Tendonitis Taping
As highlighted, if you are dealing with peroneal tendonitis, taping is a viable treatment plan for you. This technique promises to have you return to your normal activities within a significantly short period of time. Benefits of taping include:
- Can be used during the initial periods to determine if investment in braces would be viable.
- If you still want to engage in higher-level activities, including running, jumping, or walking, undergoing taping gives you a competitive edge as compared to other solutions.
- Cost-effective and can address specific symptoms.
- It can be used in conjunction with ankle braces which work perfectly when you are looking for a solution that gives you almost instantaneous stability.
How Taping Works for Peroneal Tendonitis
A tape is placed on the patient’s foot to ensure that they have more significant support. The tape takes care of any inflammation, joint pain, or possible weakness and eversion experienced at the ankle.
Overall, the goal is to promote tendon health and healing. So having the tape applied around your ankle is a safe way of ensuring that you still retain the range of motion you previously had. What’s more, you avoid the reoccurrence of any injuries within the same space.
Types of Peroneal Tendonitis Taping
Athletic Tape
Using the athletic tape is large and considered traditional taping. The standard white tape is significantly cheap and used offers some short-term stability to the ankle. The tape is the type that you will typically find within a first aid kit.
The lack of stretch within the tape translates to significantly less swelling on the ankle. This would mean that you have better circulation and greater stability, all of which encourage the healing process.
Kinesiology Tape
If you are suffering a tendon injury because of overuse, you should consider the kinesiology tape. It is pretty affordable and has provisions for self-application. However, note that you are likely going to experience moderate support and relief of the ankle joint pain with its application.
You could undertake peroneal tendonitis taping on your own. But having a foot and ankle orthopedic surgeon to check you out is the first step of making the most of this technique. During this examination, the specialist is able to distinguish the pain you might be having and pain from over the fibula. Often, when you visit your specialist of choice, they will end up requesting an x-ray of your peroneal tendons. These come in handy when trying to surface any abnormal appearance or tear of the tendons and go a long way in helping you avoid surgical treatment. As you consider this technique, also check out for the other conditions that benefit from taping feet and ankles.
Contact Us
If you are looking for a professional in Milford, PA, Warwick, NY, and Middletown, NY, consider Dr. Marc Frankel. As a patient, you are then assured of a seasoned professional who is able to bring in his over 20-years of experience. He has treated over 120,000 patients over his career, assuring that you receive the best possible care. We are excited to take on your particular case. Contact us today! Let us take you through the simple, non-invasive treatment option that is peroneal tendonitis taping.
