Peroneal Tendonitis

How do you get peroneal tendonitis?
Causes of peroneal tendonitis include: Repetitive running on sloped streets can cause peroneal tendonitis; as your foot rolls outward, the friction increases between the tendon and the bone, and this overpronation can increase this tension between the tendon and the bone.
Does peroneal tendonitis ever go away?
Peroneal tendonitis is a common injury in runners and endurance athletes. With proper rest and conservative management, it often heals without surgery. Stretching may help increase flexibility and maintain range of motion in the foot and ankle.
What happens if tendonitis goes untreated?
Untreated tendonitis can develop into chronic tendinosis and cause permanent degradation of your tendons. In some cases, it can even lead to tendon rupture, which requires surgery to fix. So if you suspect tendonitis, stop doing the activities that cause the most pain.
Will an ankle brace help peroneal tendonitis?
An ankle brace for peroneal tendonitis will help immobilize your ankle. This is crucial after an injury so that you do not cause further damage. Look for an ankle stabilizer brace that is adjustable due to the rapid swelling that can occur on your ankle.
What is the fastest way to heal tendonitis in the foot?
This treatment can help speed your recovery and help prevent further problems.
  1. Rest. Avoid activities that increase the pain or swelling. …
  2. Ice. To decrease pain, muscle spasm and swelling, apply ice to the injured area for up to 20 minutes several times a day. …
  3. Compression. …
  4. Elevation.
Does tendonitis ever fully heal?
Most damage heals in about two to four weeks, but chronic tendinitis can take more than six weeks, often because the sufferer doesn’t give the tendon time to heal. In chronic cases, there may be restriction of motion of the joint due to scarring or narrowing of the sheath of tissue that surrounds the tendon.
Is heat or cold better for tendonitis?
Answer From Edward R. Laskowski, M.D. When you’re first injured, ice is a better choice than heat — especially for about the first three days or so. Ice numbs pain and causes blood vessels to constrict, which helps reduce swelling.
Does tendonitis show up on MRI?
Tendinitis, also called overuse tendinopathy, typically is diagnosed by a physical exam alone. If you have the symptoms of overuse tendinopathy, your doctor may order an ultrasound or MRI scan to help determine tendon thickening, dislocations, and tears, but these are usually unnecessary for newly diagnosed cases.
Can compression socks help peroneal tendonitis?
Compression: compression socks or ankle supports are a great thing to add to provide support and reduce swelling in painful areas. Foam rolling/myofascial release/massage: I rolled my lower leg on all sides and found a very tender area of adhesion on the outside of my ankle in my peroneal tendon.
What cream is good for tendonitis?
Topical arthritis creams or sports creams can offer temporary relief for a few hours for minor arthritis and muscle pain. These products usually contain 1 or more active ingredients such as cajuput oil, camphor, capsaicin, clove oil, menthol, methylsalicylate, or trolamine salicylate.
Can stretching make tendonitis worse?
The more severe the tendinopathy, the less likely stretching would help. In fact, stretching results in further compression of the tendon at the irritation point, which actually worsens the pain. For more information on exercises that help improve insertional tendinopathy see our blog on Achilles Tendinopathy.
Should I get a massage for tendonitis?
For people suffering from tendonitis, it can help with pain relief and speed up the recovery process. Since tendonitis can take weeks to heal, using a massage therapy program to both relax and strengthen the inflamed tendon can give the sufferer a better chance of a full and speedy recovery.
peroneal tendonitis, ankle joint

 

Peroneal tendonitis occurs when the peroneal tendons become inflamed. This happens when there is an increased load and overuse of the tendons, leading to them rubbing on the bone.

This friction causes the tendons to swell. Over time, the tendons will thicken in size to try and manage the increased load more efficiently.

Peroneal tendonitis is particularly common in athletes and especially runners, as they are more likely to make their feet roll outwards, causing friction between the tendon and bone.

The peroneal tendons are located in the foot, attaching muscle to bone. They assist with weight-bearing and stability.

A tendon is a band of tissue that attaches muscle to bone.

There are two peroneal tendons in each leg. They run side by side down the lower leg bone (fibula) and behind the bony lump on the outside of the ankle called the lateral malleolus.

One peroneal tendon attaches to the outside of the foot at the base of the little toe (fifth metatarsal). The other tendon goes underneath the foot and attaches to the inside of the arch.

The peroneal tendons provide stability to the ankle when it is bearing weight and protects it from sprains. They also help turn the foot out and stabilize the arch when walking.

Causes

People who take part in a sport that involves repetitive ankle motion are most prone to peroneal tendonitis.

Factors that can contribute to peroneal tendonitis include:

  • overuse
  • a sudden increase in training, particularly weight-bearing activities, such as walking, running and jumping
  • improper training techniques
  • inadequate or unsupportive footwear

There are also some other issues that can increase a person’s risk of developing peroneal tendonitis:

  • higher foot arches
  • lower limb muscles and joints not working well together
  • imbalanced muscles in the lower limbs

If someone fails to complete a rehabilitation program following an ankle injury, such as a sprain, they are also more likely to develop peroneal tendonitis.

Over time, the damaged peroneal tendons will thicken as scar tissue tries to repair the damaged area. This makes the tendons weaker and more prone to tearing.

Symptoms

Peroneal tendonitis can either be acute, meaning that it comes on suddenly; or it can be chronic, meaning that it develops over time.

In both cases, there are some common symptoms:

  • pain at the back of the ankle
  • pain that worsens during activity and lessens during rest
  • pain when turning the foot in or out
  • swelling at the back of the ankle
  • instability of the ankle when bearing weight
  • the area is warm to the touch
Diagnosis

To begin with, the doctor will discuss the person’s medical history with them. This will often point to overuse, increased activity, or some other cause of peroneal tendonitis.

It is important to determine that the pain is in the peroneal tendons and not the fibula, as this could indicate a different problem.

A physiotherapist or doctor will use a variety of techniques in a physical exam to look for symptoms, generally by moving the foot and ankle into different positions and applying pressure.

An X-ray, ultrasound, or MRI scan might also be used to rule out any breaks, identify abnormal swelling or scar tissue, and further help with diagnosis.

☞ Nicola of Riktr PRO is a practicing Sports Massage professional. Free consultations when you follow "For appointments, please…" ☮
☞ Nicola of Riktr PRO is a practicing Sports Massage professional. Free consultations when you follow “For appointments, please…” ☮

*Disclaimer: This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting with a qualified healthcare provider.
Please consult your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition.
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