What Is Peroneal Tendinosis?
The peroneal tendons are on the outside of the ankle just behind the bone called the fibula. Peroneal tendinosis is the name for the enlargement, thickening, and swelling of these tendons. This usually occurs with overuse, such as a repetitive activity that irritates the tendon over long periods of time.
Symptoms
People with peroneal tendinosis typically have tried a new exercise or markedly increased their activities. Characteristic activities include marathon running or others that require repetitive use of the ankle. Patients usually have pain around the back and outside of the ankle. There often is no history of a specific injury.
Causes
Improper training or rapid increases in training and poorly fitting shoes can lead to peroneal tendinosis. Also, patients who have high arches may be more susceptible because their heel is turned inwards slightly, which requires the peroneal tendons to work harder to turn the ankle to the outside. The harder the tendons work, the more likely patients are to develop tendinosis.
Anatomy
Tendons connect muscle to bone and allow them to exert their force across the joints that separate bones. Ligaments, on the other hand, connect bone to bone. There are two peroneal tendons that run along the back of the fibula. The first is called the peroneus brevis. It runs down around the back of the bone called the fibula on the outside of the leg and connects to the fifth metatarsal on the side of the foot.
The peroneus longus takes its name because it has a longer course. It runs all the way underneath the foot to connect to the first metatarsal on the other side. Both tendons share the major job of turning the ankle to the outside. The tendons are held in a groove behind the back of the fibula and are covered by a ligament-type tissue called a retinaculum.
Diagnosis
Your foot and ankle orthopedic surgeon will take your history and perform an exam to make the diagnosis. Most patients with peroneal tendinosis will report overuse of activity, rapid increase in recent activity, or other training errors, along with pain in the back and outside of the ankle. During the exam, you may feel pain when the surgeon touches the peroneal tendons.
You may also have pain when you turn the foot inside towards the middle of your body (inversion) and weakness when you try to bring the foot to the outside (eversion). Your surgeon also will look for varus alignment of the heel, which means that the heel is turned inwards. X-rays for peroneal tendinosis usually are normal. An MRI may be required to evaluate damage to the tendons.
Treatments
Non-Surgical Treatment: The vast majority of peroneal tendinosis cases will heal without surgery. This is because it is an overuse injury and can heal with rest. If there is significant pain, wearing a CAM walker boot for several weeks is a good idea. If there is no tenderness with walking, an ankle brace might be the next best step. You should limit how much you are walking or standing until the pain improves. This usually takes several weeks. For patients with varus alignment, an orthotic that tilts the ankle to the opposite side may help relieve pressure on the tendons. Physical therapy also is very important to strengthen the tendons.
There is increasing use of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections to assist with healing, however the research on this is limited. Steroid injections are not routinely performed due to the risk of causing complete rupture.
Surgical Treatment: Your foot and ankle orthopedic surgeon may recommend surgical treatment if the pain continues. If there is a tear, meaning a split that runs along the length of the tendons, your surgeon could consider repairing the tendon. Sometimes, making the groove in the back of the bone of the fibula deeper allows the tendons more space and can help as well. If the tendon is very diseased, your surgeon may need to replace the tendon with a cadaver tendon.
Recovery
Patients usually recover fully but this can take considerable time. You may be instructed not to bear weight for four to six weeks. Your foot and ankle orthopedic surgeon likely will order physical therapy once you're ready.
Risks and Complications
In the case of surgery, as for all surgeries, there is a risk of developing an infection or wound complication. Nerve damage can occur, in particular the sural nerve, which runs along the outside of the ankle near the tendons and provides sensation to the outside of the foot.
FAQ's
What would happen if my peroneal tendinosis is not treated?
If the tendinosis is not addressed, your tendon can tear. Also, weakness of the tendons can lead to an ankle sprain or chronic ankle instability, which can cause damage to the cartilage inside the ankle joint.
What is the difference between tendinitis and tendinosis?
With tendinitis, there is acute inflammation of the tendons. This usually happens directly after an injury for a short period of time. Tendinosis is a chronic process of pain in the tendons that results in an enlargement and thickening of the tendon.
