Peroneal Tendon Injuries

The peroneal tendon is a crucial tendon that connects the leg muscles to the foot. It provides support to the foot and can sustain ongoing wear and tear because each movement applies pressure to the tendon. There are a few categories of injuries that can occur as well as generalized treatments for proper healing.

Peroneal Tendon Function

• There are two peroneal tendons that are made of fiborous, rigid, tissue. They run alongside the outer part of the ankle, and attach to the outer part of the foot at the middle and widest part of the foot. The other tendon stretches a bit further and attaches just under the arch. The peroneal tendon provides the foot with stability and protects the ankle from severe sprains.

Tendonitis Injuries

• Often associated with overuse and repetitive ankle movement through sports and athletic activities, tendonitis is the inflammation of the tendons. An ankle sprain can also cause tendonitis. Symptoms of tendonitis are pain, swelling and the ankle will feel warm if you touch it. It is warm because the body is sending blood to the area to heal the tendonitis.

Acute Tears

• As the name suggests, tears occur from a sharp sudden trauma. These injuries often occur when a person "rolls" her ankle. If the rolling is moderately abrupt, there will be a tear in the tendons before the ankle "breaks." The symptoms are pain, swelling, bruising and instability or weakness in the injured foot and ankle. You can also have acute tears by repetitive activity. If you have recurring tears in the tendon, the healing process may shorten the tendon and lift the arch, which may negatively affect your stride.

Degenerative Tears

• Also known as tendonosis, this injury occurs over a long period of consistent use. Rather than identifiable tears in the tendon, the tendon becomes stretched and loose. It may even become so thin that it begins to fray. Symptoms include, on and off pain near the outside ankle, stabilization loss in the ankle, ankle weakness and the arch lifting upward beyond its normal position.

Subluxation

• This occurs when the tendons slide out of their typical position. This may be a genetic abnormality in the foot shape that appears at birth. Subluxation can also occur from a severe trauma, most notably an ankle sprain. Tears to the retinaculum (tissues that support the tendons) may also lead to a chronic form of subluxation. Symptoms are a snapping sensation in the tendon near the anklebone, on and off pain just behind the outside anklebone, and of course a weak ankle or loss of stability.

Common Treatments

• The treatment may vary according to injury, and your physician will provide you with specific treatments, but the following is useful after a trauma or ongoing pain. Immobilize your foot; a cast or splint may be necessary. Take anti-inflammatory medication to reduce swelling. Use ice, heat or ultrasound therapy to eliminate pain and subside swelling. If you improve, light physical stretching may benefit the tendons. A doctor may provide you with a brace to support the injured tendons. Finally, surgery may be the best option to repair torn and unusable tendons.