How Do I Know If I Have A Peroneal Tendon Injury
Common symptoms of peroneal tendon injuries include:
- Pain on the outer ankle, which gets worse with activity such as walking, running, or pushing off the ball of the foot
- Swelling or tenderness behind the ankle bone
- Pain or weakness when pointing the toe or moving the foot outward
If you suspect a peroneal tendon injury, or you have any pronounced or persistent pain in your foot and ankle, see an experienced orthopedic foot and ankle specialist.
Conservative Treatment For Peroneal Tendinitis Includes:
If all conservative intervention fails, then surgical intervention maybe required. Dr. Stewart will determine which procedure is best for you.
Risk Factors For Peroneal Tendonitis
Risk factors for peroneal tendonitis include:
- People with high arched feet are more likely to develop peroneal tendonitis.
- Runners who run at a fast pace or do interval workouts are at a higher risk of developing peroneal tendonitis.
- People with tight calves are more likely to develop the condition.
Recommended Reading: Nike Everyday Plus Cushioned Ankle
How Are Peroneal Tendon Injuries Treated
Peroneal tendonitis can often be treated conservatively. RICE therapy can help reduce pain and discomfort in the peroneal tendons. Your doctor may suggest you wear an ankle brace for a month or longer to help improve the stability of the ankle when you are walking.
I prefer the Zenith ankle brace. You can buy it on Amazon. It is a supportive ankle brace and will provide your ankle with appropriate stability. You can wear it with your shoes.
Peroneal tendonitis can take 6-8 weeks to resolve, and your doctor may suggest you limit your activities to prevent further damage to the tendon. Your doctor may suggest physical therapy to help improve the ankles range of motion, decrease pain, and improve balance.
Heres an article by medicalnewstoday.com demonstrating how to properly perform stretching exercises for peroneal tendonitis.
After the tendonitis symptoms improve, your doctor may suggest you wear custom orthotics to help alleviate strain along the outer ankle. You can request a script for a pair of custom orthotics at your foot doctors office.
A custom orthotic is an orthotic that is designed for your unique foot structure. Although they can be pricey a pair, they usually will last for several years .
If you have a peroneal tendon tear or subluxation, your doctor will suggest surgically repairing this to help improve pain and weakness. Surgery for peroneal tendon tears and subluxations will need to be done in the operating room under anesthesia.
How Do You Diagnose Peroneal Tendon Injuries
If you suspect you have an injury to the peroneal tendons, you should see your local foot doctor. Your doctor will obtain a history and physical exam. Your doctor will feel your tendons and check where exactly the tendon may be inflamed, torn, or subluxed.
Your doctor will order an x-ray of your foot and ankle. Although soft tissue structures cannot be visualized on an x-ray, the x-ray allows your doctor to rule out any anatomical abnormalities like bone spurs and abnormalities in the shape of your ankle bone that could be causing your peroneal tendons to have issues during activities.
Not only that, x-rays allow visualization of your foot structure. It can help your doctor understand if your foot structure is causing these injuries.
If your doctor suspects that you may have torn or subluxed your peroneal tendon, he/she may order an MRI. An MRI allows visualization of the peroneal tendons in detail and can help identify a partial tear, a full tear/rupture, and whether the tendons are subluxed.
Since peroneal tendon injuries often occur with ankle sprains, the MRI will help identify any damage to your ankle ligaments. This becomes important for surgical planning.
Also Check: Best Orthopedic Surgeons In Erie Pa
Ankle Gout Pain Is Typically Sudden
Some types of ankle pain typically deliver a dull, constant pain that follows you around throughout the day. But gout pain? It’s fast. Very fast. Ankle pain caused by gout tends to ramp up very quickly and be very painful, with not very much prior warning that the pain is going to strike, explains Creaky Joints. Unfortunately, though, the pain can take a little longer to fade than it does for it to appear, with gout pain generally going away in anywhere from a few days to several weeks.
One of the strangest things about gout pain, too, is that when you’re not experiencing a flare-up, it can generally be non-existent — you may have no symptoms for weeks, months, or even years. The problem, though, is that once you’ve had one gout attack, you may be facing more if you don’t treat the condition. And the longer you go without tackling your gout, the more likely you are to experience a gout attack, and the more painful it can be when it rears its head without warning again.
When To See A Doctor
Peroneal tendon injuries can get worse without timely treatment, so it is important to see your doctor if you experience symptoms associated with peroneal tendonitis or a peroneal tendon tear. Your doctor will ask questions about your injury, its symptoms, and the type of sports you play. A physical examination will be conducted to look for signs of pain, swelling, tenderness, and weakness. Your doctor may gently move your ankle to see what positions cause pain. Imaging tests, such as a magnetic resonance imaging test, may be ordered to get a clearer picture of the extent of the damage to your tendons.
You May Like: Red Rash On Top Of Foot
What Else Could My Ankle Pain Be
While ankle pain can be created by gout, it’s important not to jump to conclusions. The fact is that ankle pain may be caused by a huge variety of conditions affecting your bones, joints, tendons, or muscles, as the Cleveland Clinic states. It may even be as simple as a sprain, an injury that is characterized by damage to the ankle ligaments that may occur during a sporting activity or by simply rolling over it. Tendonitis, a condition whereby the tendons become inflamed and damaged, may also be what’s creating your ankle aches.
In other situations, the pain could be created by something other than your ankle entirely. If you have flat feet, for example, your ankles can take the additional strain and become painful and inflamed due to the lack of arch support in your foot. Generally, your physician will determine what’s causing your ankle pain through a series of tests, which may include an X-ray or an MRI scan. Generally, ankle pain is treated using a combination of cold therapy, resting the joint, elevating your ankle and foot, and pain or anti-inflammatory medication, but for other conditions like gout, additional treatments may be required.
What Are The Most Common Causes Of Ankle Pain
Pain in the ankle can result from several injuries and conditions. Some of the most common injuries that cause ankle pain include:
- Bursitis: Fluid-filled sacs called bursae cushion your bones when they move. Bursitis happens when these sacs become irritated and inflamed.
- Fractures: An accident or injury can cause bones to break . Ankle fractures range from mild to severe. Broken ankles can involve bones in any part of the ankle joint. A broken ankle causes ankle swelling and pain.
- Sprains: Sprained ankles are a common cause of ankle pain. An ankle sprain happens when ligaments stretch or tear. Sprained or twisted ankles happen when the ankle rolls forcefully out of its normal position.
- Tendonitis: Irritated, inflamed tendons are a soft-tissue injury called tendonitis. Tendons connect muscles to bones. Sometimes, a tendon can tear . A torn tendon may need surgical repair.
Many diseases, disorders and conditions can also lead to ankle pain. These include:
You May Like: First Coast Foot And Ankle
Reasons For Outer Ankle Pain
by Dr. Robert J. Spencer | Jul 6, 2016 | Uncategorized
One of the fun things to do in Orange County in the summer is to head to Huntington Beach for movies displayed on a huge, inflatable, outdoor movie screen with the latest in picture and sound technology. On July 16, you could take a picnic supper , watch the sunset, and then enjoy Raiders of the Lost Ark. Just be careful when you are stumbling back to your car lateryou dont want to end up with an ankle sprain or other injury!
Sprains are just one of the possible reasons for outer ankle pain. Twisting your ankle stretches the ligaments too far and can even tear them. If the sprain doesnt heal well, pain can become chronic, and weak tissues can make the ankle unstable and prone to future injuries. Besides ligament damage, here are some other common causes of ankle pain on the outside of your foot:
So take care this summer! If you are out and about and start feeling pain at the outside of your ankle, call Southern California Foot & Ankle Specialists and let us take a look at it. Treating the problem in the early stages may save you a lot of grief in the months and years to come. You can reach our office in Ladera Ranch at 364-9255 , or schedule your visit online, and head off disabling ankle pain before it takes hold.
About
Our practice treats all foot and ankle problems in infants, children, and adults. It is conveniently located in Ladera Ranch, CA.
Location
Pain On Outside Of Lower Leg Above Ankle At Night Other Causes
Leg pain can be a bother as it limits your ability to walk and run. It can make you feel incapacitated as you cant do the usual stuff.
If you have such symptoms, it would be wise to address the problem immediately.
The sooner you get treatment, the better, as such injuries and conditions will take time to heal.
You May Like: Tri State Orthopedic Evansville In
What Are Some Peroneal Tendonitis Exercises
A conditioning program for your foot and ankle could help you avoid another injury. A typical program includes:
- 5 to 10 minutes of low-impact activity like walking to warm up the legs
- Stretching activities suggested by your doctor or physical therapist
- Exercises to build strength and range-of-motion
- A repeat of the stretching exercises
Typical exercises include:
- Heel cord stretches. Face a wall with your unaffected leg forward and the affected leg back. Put your hands on the wall for support and press your hips forward while keeping your heels flat on the floor. This stretch can be done with the affected leg kept straight or slightly bent.
- Calf raises. Hold on to the back of a chair. Stand on your affected foot and bend the other leg at the knee. Keeping your affected leg straight, raise and lower your heel.
- Ankle range of motion. Sit in a chair with your feet off the floor. Use the affected foot to trace the letters of the alphabet in the air. Keep your movements small.
Show Sources
What Are Peroneal Tendonitis Symptoms
The main symptom of peroneal tendonitis is swelling and pain around the ankle. You may also have pain on the outside of the foot and moving up the lower leg, making it hard for you to run or walk. You may also have a tender area just behind the ankle bone. Your pain may be worse early in the morning.
Recommended Reading: Levi Ribcage Straight Ankle Jeans
How Common Are Peroneal Tendonitis Injuries In Runners
Like any tendon, both peroneal tendons, can get injured from overuse.
Unlike injuries to the Achilles or Patellar Tendon, which are fairly common and well-understood, peroneal tendon injuries are quite rare.
A study by Taunton et al., which categorized the injuries of over two thousand runners at a sports injury clinic, found only thirteen cases of peroneal tendonitis.1 This means that peroneal tendonitis makes up only about 0.6% of all running injuries. With such a small number of cases, its hard to draw too many conclusions, but Taunton et al. did note that nine of the thirteen cases were in men.
Its hard to say whether peroneal tendonitis really is more common in men than women. Or if this is just random statistical noise. But injuries to the Achilles and patellar tendon are more common among men, too. So there may be something to this trend.
Pain On Outside Of Lower Leg Above Ankle At Night
The pain on outside of lower leg above ankle at night can be a distressing experience. Peripheral artery disease has often been the cause of this symptom, but other medical issues can also cause this problem.
Suppose you have the opportunity to visit a doctor and get the help you need, you should do so. This decision will save you the trouble of making a self-diagnosis.
This advice will serve you well if you cannot get that help. The sooner you can figure out why you have these issues, the sooner you can treat the illness.
So let us look at ways you can know what is wrong.
The best approach is to use your symptoms to match those on the list of known diseases. Once you have eliminated those differences, you can then focus on treatment.
You should also check the causes to practice preventative methods to avoid repeating. Lifestyle changes can make a significant difference to your health.
Once you have figured out what is wrong, you can focus on using the safe treatments, and not all will be for your case. Use those that are similar to each other.
Avoid medicines and therapies that differ per situation.
Once you understand the process, we can now share the medical conditions that can cause pain outside the lower leg above the ankle at night.
Contents
Also Check: Orthopedic Doctors Who Accept Medicaid
Shooting Pain On Outside Of Ankle Other Causes
No doubt, the pain you may feel from your ankle can be excruciating and in discomfort. That is why we hope that the information we share can help relieve the pain and make healing possible.
If you continue to follow the recommendations we have for you, it will significantly benefit your health.
Check out these other medical conditions related to ankle pain.
How Do Peroneal Tendons Cause Problems
The peroneal tendons connect the muscles outside the lower leg with the outside of the foot. These tendons can cause ankle problems through tendonitis, tear, and instability. How do peroneal tendons cause ankle problems? Learn about these tendons and associated conditions and what you should do about them.
Also Check: How To Make Your Ankle Stop Hurting
Peroneal Tendonitis Or Peroneal Tendon Tear
There are 3 peroneal tendons that run along the outer side of the shin bone, across the lateral ankle, and connecting to the outer and underside of the foot. Their main function is to turn the foot out and down while acting as a stabiliser of the foot and ankle through motion. If they become overused through repetitive motion such as walking or running they can become inflamed and painful leading to Peroneal Tendonitis. Similarly, a sudden inversion of an ankle can cause a Peroneal Tendon Tear.
In the acute phase, Peroneal Tendonitis may be painful with all movements. In less acute episodes, it may be stiff and tender in the morning. During the activity, it may be tender initially while easing as it warms up. As the condition becomes more chronic it can become constantly painful. Peroneal Tendonitis is a common cause of outside ankle pain without swelling.
Treatment with a Physical Therapist or a Sports Medicine professional is recommended. The best form of treatment for Peroneal Tendonitis is strengthening exercises combined with modification to activity levels. Massage, stretching, and taping can provide temporary relief. We have covered Peroneal Tendonitis in-depth in this article and exercises for this condition here.
Waukesha Area Foot Specialists Explain Outer Ankle Pain Causes And Treatment Options
he most common thing our Waukesha area foot specialists hear from patients are:
- Outer ankle pain while running
- Outer ankle pain after walking
- Outer ankle pain after cycling
- Outer ankle pain when flexing or pointing toes
- Outer ankle pain at night or in the morning
- Outer ankle pain going down stairs
Outside ankle pain is also common after an injury, like a sprained ankle. However, there can be many other causes for outer ankle pain, including:
Read Also: Orthopedic Doctors In Lancaster Pa
The Pain Usually Happens At Night
You’re tucked up in bed, sound asleep without a care, when suddenly you’re thrown into the waking world by an excruciating pain in your ankle. Sound familiar? If so, we could be talking about gout.
Pain at night is one telltale sign of gout, with gout attacks being more than twice as likely to occur during the night than in the daytime, as research published in Arthritis & Rheumatology states. There could be several reasons why this is the case. The first is down to body temperature, which gets lower while we’re snoozing, enabling the uric acid crystals that cause inflammation and pain to form more easily, says Arthritis-Health. This, incidentally, is why gout is also more common in our extremities, as these tend to be a little colder than other parts of our bodies due to more limited blood flow. We can also become dehydrated while we sleep , making the uric acid in our blood more concentrated. Other factors may include having lower amounts of cortisone while we’re asleep, a hormone that keeps inflammation in check, and having a lower rate of breathing, leading to more carbon dioxide in the system, potentially causing higher uric acid levels.