Peroneal Tendonitis Treatment in Dallas, Frisco, Prosper, and Wylie, Texas

What Causes Peroneal Tendonitis?

As we mentioned before, most peroneal tendon injuries occur due to overuse or trauma. Specifically, an ankle joint sprain can cause inflammation of the two peroneal tendons. Peroneal tendinitis causes the tendons to swell, which hinders the smooth movement of the joint. Other potential causes of peroneal tendon disorders include the following.

• Repetitive ankle motion from running on uneven surfaces or sloped surfaces
• Runners and marathoners are at an increased risk from the repetitive motion necessary to participate in those activities.
• Additionally, those who have tight calf muscles experience more tension on the tendons. More tension creates more friction between the tendons, which can, in turn, lead to tendonitis.
• Those frequently suffering from ankle sprains are also more likely to develop peroneal tendinitis. This is due to the ankle weakness that accompanies sprains.

Peroneal Tendinopathy Risk Factors

Peroneal tendon problems are more common in those with the following risk factors.

• High arches in the feet
• Frequent fast-paced running or interval training
• Tight calf muscles
• Failing to stretch before physical activity
• A sudden increase in certain activities, such as weight-bearing
• Using poor techniques in a training regimen
• Wearing poor or unsupportive footwear
• You have certain conditions, such as gout, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, or osteoarthritis.
• Failing to complete a rehabilitation program after ankle surgery or a tendon injury

How Common Is Peroneal Tendinopathy?

While tendonitis is a common ailment, especially for active people, peroneal tendonitis is not as common as other forms of tendonitis. Achilles tendonitis is much more common. However, there are many runners, marathoners, and active people worldwide. Even if only 1% of all runners suffer from this condition, that 1% could mean tens or hundreds of thousands of people. Additionally, some people who suffer from peroneal tendonitis also suffer from pes cavus, or high foot arches.

Peroneal Tendonitis Symptoms

Common symptoms of peroneal tendonitis include the following.

• Ankle pain along one peroneal tendon or along both tendons
• Pain that worsens when bearing weight on the ankle or engaging in physical activity
• Swelling, warmth, or redness around the affected ankle
• Thick tendons that have nodules or masses
• Pain at the back of the ankle
• Pain when turning your foot
• Feelings of ankle instability

What Does Peroneal Tendonitis Pain Feel Like?

It’s important to understand how to differentiate between peroneal tendonitis and other similar conditions. Most patients describe peroneal tendonitis pain as sharp and aching sensations along the length of the tendons. You may also feel pain on the outside of the foot or near the ankle.

Generally, the pain will worsen with activity or while running. However, if the pain persists while simply standing without bearing weight, you might have a fifth metatarsal fracture. We recommend speaking with a doctor and undergoing a physical exam for a proper diagnosis.

Can the Peroneal Tendon Rupture?

Yes. A severe peroneal tendon injury such as this can result from an acute injury or from chronic overuse of the tendon. When one or both of these tendons tear, it can greatly impact foot functionality and cause ankle problems.

Tell-tale signs of peroneal tendon ruptures include the following.

• Lower leg pain
• A popping sensation or snapping feeling when the injury occurs
• Swelling
• Warmth and redness in the affected area
• Feelings of weakness or instability in the foot

While it is rare for both peroneal tendons to rupture, it is possible. In most cases, if one tendon tears, the other will function in its place. It’s important to seek immediate medical attention if you suspect a peroneal tendon tear.

Diagnosis of Peroneal Tendon Injuries

So, how is peroneal tendonitis diagnosed? To diagnose your peroneal tendon injury, we will begin with a physical examination. It’s important to achieve an accurate diagnosis, as going too long without proper treatment can be highly detrimental. During the physical exam, we look for redness, swelling, warmth, and weakness. Once we pinpoint the location of your injury, we might order an imaging test to confirm the diagnosis.

Sometimes, these injuries are accompanied by other similar injuries, such as a high ankle sprain. It is even possible to experience nerve damage due to a serious injury. Chronic overuse injuries involve repetitive ankle motion and may be as mild as a stretched ligament. Depending on the extent of your injury, we will develop a personalized treatment plan for you.

Peroneal Tendonitis Treatment

So, how is peroneal tendonitis treated? Usually, we begin with conservative treatments unless we have confirmed a tendon rupture. Our main goal is to reduce pain and improve mobility over time. Below, we list the conservative treatments that we recommend for these injuries.

• Ankle brace: Wearing a brace and having the proper footwear might be enough to improve your symptoms. Ankle braces will provide added support and stability, especially while you’re active.
• Over-the-counter medication: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications reduce pain and reduce swelling. We may also recommend corticosteroids injected around the tendon sheath.
• Physical therapy: Working with a physical therapist is critical in restoring strength and range of motion. We will focus on strengthening exercises and manual therapy until your symptoms improve.
• RICE: Rest, ice, compression, and elevation comprise the RICE method. For minor injuries, this might be all it takes to relieve pain and swelling.

Peroneal Tendonitis Exercises

One of our sports med professionals will work with you to strengthen your foot and ankle after the injury. Below, we list helpful exercises you can perform at home to prevent peroneal tendonitis.

• Before any form of physical activity, stretch your calf muscles, ankle muscles, and peroneal muscles.
• Use a towel while sitting down to stretch your lower leg muscles.
• Perform a standing calf stretch using a door or wall.
• Perform heel raises by using a chair, table, stairs, or other elevated surfaces.
• Stretch your plantar fascia by rolling the bottom of your foot along a foot roller or tennis ball.
• Perform an ankle flexion with a resistance band.

Patient education is highly important to us. We will instruct you on how to perform the above stretches and exercises properly.

Peroneal Tendonitis Brace

The type of ankle brace you will need depends on the extent of your injury. Braces offer a range of benefits, from added support to full immobilization. We recommend speaking with your podiatric medicine specialist to ensure that you properly protect your foot and ankle during the healing process.

Peroneal Tendonitis Surgery

In severe cases, surgical treatment might be necessary. Painful tendon ruptures and chronic dislocation of the peroneal tendons are common reasons why we might recommend surgery. The peroneal tendon attaches muscle in your calf to the bones in your foot. In other words, they are incredibly important for foot and ankle health.

Two popular options for surgical intervention include tendon repair and tendon debridement. Tendon repair involves dividing the tendon sheath and either removing the torn portion of the tear or suturing the tear back together. Then, the sheath is repaired. Tendon debridement involves dividing the sheath, clearing out the damaged tissue, and allowing the space to fill with scar tissue.

Peroneal Tendonitis Recovery Time

Your recovery time depends largely on the extent of your injury. For mild cases, conservative treatments should yield positive results within two to four weeks. If your case requires surgery, your recovery time will be much longer. Strictly adhering to your doctor’s recovery plan is essential to prevent further injury and ensure a speedy recovery.

How to Prevent Peroneal Tendonitis

Sometimes, it is not possible to prevent peroneal tendonitis. If your case results from an injury or from high foot arches, there might not be much you can do about it. However, we’ve listed a few preventative measures you can take to reduce your chances of peroneal tendonitis.

• Maintain a healthy weight.
• If you feel foot pain, rest. Don’t push through the pain.
• Stop smoking.
• Gradually increase the intensity of your physical activity.
• Be sure to rest after a workout or game.
• Always stretch before engaging in physical activity.
• If you experience pain, consider wearing special ankle braces or supportive footwear.

Do You Have Peroneal Tendonitis? Contact SPORT Orthopedics + Physical Therapy Today.

At SPORT Orthopedics + Physical Therapy, our top priorities are treating your pain, guiding you through recovery, and ensuring that you can get back to your active lifestyle. Our highly skilled orthopedic surgeons have extensive experience treating many conditions. If you suffer from peroneal tendonitis or a similar condition, we’re here for you. To schedule an appointment with one of our professionals, please call 469-200-2832 today.