The Causes, Symptoms & Treatments For Peroneal Tendonitis

Your peroneal tendons pass along the outside of your ankle and the side of your foot, and they connect the muscles in the area to the bones in your foot. The tendons help to provide immense stability and aid in balance when you’re standing or moving, so having healthy peroneal tendons is very important. However, because of all the stress they handle to support these muscles and stabilize the area, they can be overworked and inflamed, leading to a condition known as personal tendonitis. Below, we take a closer look at the condition and explain how our team can help you overcome peroneal tendonitis.

Causes And Symptoms Of Peroneal Tendonitis

The most common cause of peroneal tendonitis is due to overuse, which is why the condition is so common in runners and athletes who may be more predisposed to chronic strain on their feet. That said, the problem can also develop as a result of acute trauma to the area, like if you sprained your ankle, so it’s not just a problem that develops in individuals who are very physically active.

When the peroneal tendons are overstressed, it can trigger an inflammatory response to help protect the area. If these tendons become inflamed or swell, they will no longer have as much space to move freely, which can make movement painful. Peroneal tendonitis can lead to a number of symptoms in the ankle and on the outside of your foot, including:

• Pain
• Pain that worsens with activity
• Swelling
• Redness
• Decreased flexibility

Symptoms of peroneal tendonitis are oftentimes mild at the outset, which means that many athletes try to ignore the soreness and play through the discomfort. The problem is that additional intense activity is only going to make symptoms worse, and it also increases your risk of rupturing the tendon, which would lead to a much longer recovery. If you’re experiencing the above symptoms and you have reason to believe you’re dealing with peroneal or Achilles tendonitis, reach out to a foot specialist in your area to chart a course for recovery.

Diagnosing And Treating Peroneal Tendonitis

Fortunately, peroneal tendonitis has a strong treatment success rate if caught early and attacked with an active treatment plan, which again speaks to the importance of early intervention. If you suspect that you’re dealing with a form of tendonitis in your foot, set up an appointment with a foot specialist like one you’ll find at The Centers For Advanced Orthopaedics.

We’ll start by asking about your symptoms, examining the foot, having you perform a few simple physical tests and then possibly confirming the diagnosis with imaging tests. X-rays, MRIs, CT scans or ultrasounds may be used to rule out other problems or highlight damage to the peroneal tendons.

If you are diagnosed with peroneal tendonitis, your specialist will go over some basic treatment protocols and explain some options for your unique situation. RICE is one of the most common treatments, which stands for Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation. However, those techniques may also be paired with some other interventions to help speed up recovery and improve strength in nearby structures to take pressure off the peroneal tendons. Physical therapy exercises are one such technique that can slowly and carefully target the tendons and nearby soft tissues to create a stronger and more stable ankle. Some other conservative treatments may include:

• Bracing
• Immobilization
• Anti-inflammatory medications
• Cold therapy

The majority of cases respond well to strenuous activity avoidance and the conservative methods listed above, but if your tendons remain inflamed or you suffer a rupture, surgery may become necessary. Surgery will involve removing the damaged tissue in a procedure known as a synovectomy, and while it involves a longer recovery time and also involves pursuing some of the non-operative treatments listed above, it tends to yield great results.

For more information about peroneal tendonitis, or for help with a new or existing pain in your foot or ankle, reach out to the team at The Centers For Advanced Orthopaedics today.