Peroneal tendonitis is an irritation to the tendons that run in a groove, behind the bony prominence on the outer aspect of the ankle. The two tendons involved are the peroneus longus and peroneus brevis. The tendonitis usually occurs because these tendons are subject to excessive repetitive forces during standing and walking. Certain types of feet (ex. high arched feet or feet with misaligned heels that are inclined or tilted inwards) tend to increase the force that the peroneal tendons are exposed to, and are predisposed to the risk of peroneal tendonitis. Treatment is aimed at decreasing symptoms and correcting any precipitating factor. Non-operative treatment may include: anti-inflammatory medications, activity modification, ice, muscle strengthening, ankle bracing, and/or specific types of shoe inserts or orthotics. Occasionally surgery is beneficial.
Patients with peroneal tendonitis present with pain and, occasionally, swelling in the outside and back (posterolateral) part of the ankle (Figure 1). This tends to be a chronic condition, so there is often no precipitating event. However, sometimes patients will report an activity that aggravated their symptoms.
The peroneal tendons run behind the prominent bone on the outside of the ankle. There are two tendons, the peroneus brevis and the peroneus longs. These tendons help to control the position of the foot during walking. They are also responsible for the muscle contraction that moves the foot out to the side (eversion of the foot). Peroneal tendonitis is an irritation to the peroneal tendons. Essentially, the tendons are repetitively overloaded and the subsequent inflammatory response (attempt at healing) creates pain and discomfort. This inflammatory response is the reason why patients with peroneal tendonitis often have startup pain, and pain first thing in the morning. The mechanism by which peroneal tendonitis develops is akin to a rope that is repetitively overloaded. Just as a rope can become frayed -some patients with peroneal tendonitis will also have some tearing of the tendons. However, when tearing of the tendon occurs, it is usually in line with the tendon, essentially causing a split in the tendon. Patients with peroneal tendonitis are usually able to walk, although they may have a limp. When peroneal tendonitis is severe, it often prevents patients from participating in dynamic sporting type activities that require sudden changes of direction. At times, when a severe injury can dislocate the tendons out of their groove, they may go back on their own and heal, but at other times the tendons may keep coming out with certain maneuvers or activities, leading to chronic subluxing peroneal tendonitis.
Patients with peroneal tendonitis will often walk with a limp. Looking at the outside of the ankle, there may be some subtle (or not so subtle) swelling behind the lateral malleolus [the prominent bone on the outside of the ankle]. Pressing on this area will often create discomfort. Many patients will have a higher arch foot (subtle cavus foot), with increased ankle inversion compared to eversion. This type of foot predisposes a patient to increased loads that the peroneal tendons have to bear during walking and running. In peroneal tendonitis, the patient’s sensation and muscle strength is usually normal. However, there is a nerve (the sural nerve) that runs through the outside back part of the ankle, and this nerve may be irritated by the inflammation and swelling. This can lead to either decreased sensation or to a burning over the lateral or outside aspect of the foot. In rare instances, some patients may have a complete tear of one of the peroneal tendons, and in this situation there may be weakness in the ability to move the foot out to the side (eversion of the foot.). In patients with subluxing tendons, the tendons can be made to snap in and out of their grove.
Plain weight-bearing x-rays are likely to show evidence of a higher arched foot pattern. However, the joints of the foot are usually normal, with no evidence of arthritis. An MRI is often ordered to determine if there is tearing of the peroneal tendons, and if there is tearing, to determine how extensive it is. It is common to see abnormal edema, representing the tendonitis in the peroneal tendons (Figure #3). It is also common to see a fair bit of increased fluid around the tendons. On both plain x-ray and particularly on MRI, it may be possible to identify the peroneal tubercle, which is occasionally very prominent or protruding and, at times, can serve as an irritant as the peroneal tendons run by this bony structure.
Patients with peroneal tendonitis, but no significant peroneal tendon tear, can usually be treated successfully non-operatively. Treatment is aimed at decreasing the load through the peroneal tendons and subsequently decreasing the inflammation. Successful non-operative treatment includes:
In patients with a large peroneal tendon tear or a bony prominence that is serving as a physical irritant to the tendon, surgery may be beneficial. Physical irritants can include a prominent peroneal tubercle or a bone spur off of the back (posterior aspect) of the fibula (prominent bone on the outside of the ankle). Surgery is performed to: clean up the tendons themselves debridement or synovectomy); repair any significant tearing of the tendons; and if necessary smooth out the tract that the peroneal tendons run in. Often there is a tear of the peroneal tendon. If the longitudinal tearing represents less than 50% of the tendons, the torn part of the tendon is removed. If it is more than 50%, the tendon is debrided (cleaned up) and the involved tendon is sutured (transferred) to the other tendon.
Many patients may require other procedures in addition to the surgery on the peroneal tendons themselves, in order to address other related problems or alter the force that the peroneal tendons are subject to. These procedures may include:
Potential complications of surgery can occur. These include: