Peroneal Tendon Injuries

If you lead a physically active lifestyle or fail to warm up before exercise, you’re also more likely to experience peroneal tendon injuries. At Mid-South Foot & Ankle Specialists, with offices in Atoka, Cordova, and East Memphis, Tennessee, the highly skilled podiatrists offer complete care for peroneal tendon injuries, including physical therapy, bracing, and corticosteroid injections. Call the nearest office to learn more about the treatment of peroneal tendon injuries today, or book online.

What are peroneal tendon injuries?

Peroneal tendon injuries affect your peroneal tendons –– thick bands of tissue that connect the muscles in your lower legs to the bones in your feet. Your peroneal tendons support your foot and ankle and help protect them from injuries. They’re incredibly tough but susceptible to general wear-and-tear.

If you lead a physically active lifestyle and have ankle pain that fails to improve with at-home treatments like ice and rest, contact Mid-South Foot & Ankle Specialists immediately.

What are the symptoms of peroneal tendon injuries?

Symptoms of peroneal tendon injuries include:

• Ankle pain
• Pain that’s worse during physical activity
• Swelling, redness, or warmth
• Thickened tendons

If you tear or rupture a peroneal tendon, you might also experience ankle weakness, ankle instability, or intense pain that prevents you from walking.

Who is at risk of peroneal tendon injuries?

Peroneal tendon injuries affect people from all backgrounds, but several factors may increase your risk, including:

• Being 40 or older
• Not stretching before exercise
• Having a chronic medical condition, like gout or diabetes
• Being overweight
• Smoking

You’re also more likely to suffer a peroneal tendon injury if you have a history of previous tendon injuries.

How are peroneal tendon injuries diagnosed?

To diagnose a peroneal tendon injury, your Mid-South Foot & Ankle Specialists provider reviews your medical charts and asks about your symptoms, including when the pain started, if it’s worse during exercise, and if it responds to at-home treatment.

Next, your provider completes a physical exam. They gently press on different parts of your foot to identify sensitive areas and move your ankle joint from side to side, evaluating its range of motion. If your provider suspects another underlying problem, like a fracture or arthritis, they also order X-rays to get a better look at the bones and joints in your foot and ankle.

How are peroneal tendon injuries treated?

At Mid-South Foot & Ankle Specialists, the podiatrists use conservative and nonsurgical treatments to manage peroneal tendon injuries. Depending on your symptoms, they might recommend:

• An ankle brace
• Immobilization with a splint or a cast
• Taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
• Physical therapy
• Rest, ice, and elevation
• Steroid injections

If you tear or rupture a peroneal tendon, surgery might be necessary.

Call the nearest Mid-South Foot & Ankle Specialists office today to receive treatment for a peroneal tendon injury, or book online.