The peroneal muscles are found in the lower leg. These muscles originate from the fibula (the bone on the outside of the lower leg) and travel on the outside of the leg to insert into different bones in the foot through peroneal tendons.
This muscle groups purpose is to move the ankle and foot away from the middle of the body, an action called eversion.
What is peroneal tendonitis?
Peroneal tendonitis describes damage to just one or a few of the peroneal tendons with inflammation and degeneration of the injured tendon.
What causes peroneal tendonitis?
When the peroneal muscles contract or are stretched, tension is put through the peroneal tendons. When this tension is high or excessive damage to the tendon may occur.
Excessive running or walking, particularly on uneven surfaces or slopes, or sports that involve lots of direction changes can cause peroneal tendonitis.
Common sports causing peroneal tendonitis include:
What are the symptoms of peroneal tendonitis?
There are a few symptoms of peroneal tendonitis including:
- Pain on the outside of the ankle or foot during activities that put stress on the peroneal tendons
- The pain tends to come on gradually and get worse over time which can be over a few weeks or months as the activity that is causing the tendonitis continues.
- You may also experience pain when firmly touching your affected peroneal tendon
How is peroneal tendonitis diagnosed?
Your physiotherapist can carry out a thorough assessment of your lower leg and ankle to determine whether or not peroneal tendonitis is causing your symptoms.
Sometimes a scan such as an ultrasound or MRI scan can assist with the diagnosis and can show how severe the tendonitis is and if any other structures are affected.
What treatment can Farrell Physiotherapy offer for peroneal tendonitis?
There are several different treatment methods for peroneal tendonitis. After your physiotherapist has assessed you, they will provide you with a tailored treatment programme based around what was found on assessment.
Your physiotherapist will choose the most effective treatment methods for you based on your symptoms and your response to different treatment
- Activity modification advice
- Strengthening exercises
- Biomechanical correction
- Flexibility exercises
- Balance exercises
- Footwear advice
- Graded return to functional/sporting activity programme
Physiotherapy can include:
- Soft tissue massage
- Advice regarding resting
- Joint mobilisation
- Ice or heat therapy
- Anti-inflammatory advice
- Ankle taping
- Foot taping
- Walking aid advice and education
Benefit of physiotherapy for peroneal tendonitis?
There are several benefits of physiotherapy for peroneal tendonitis and physiotherapy is important in order to prevent the problem occurring again. We want you to make the best recovery possible in the shortest space of time.
Physiotherapy benefits include:
- Reduced pain
- Quicker healing
- Improved strength
- Improved flexibility
- Prevention of re-injuring yourself
If you would like to book an assessment or enquire further, please call 01245 615 051 or e-mail: email@example.com.