Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsFunctionSensationCausesDiagnosisTreatmentPreventionRecovery and RehabilitationComplications
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Function
Sensation
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prevention
Recovery and Rehabilitation
Complications
Peroneal tendonitis, or an inflammation of the peroneal tendons, often presents as pain that is felt on the outside of the foot or outer ankle and gets worse with activity.It happens when the peroneal tendons, theperoneal longusandperoneal brevis, become inflamed as they run over your ankle and foot bones. These foot tendons can become irritated over time because of repetitive activities like running or sports training or because of an injury.
Continue reading to learn more about peroneal tendonitis treatment, how to find the cause of pain in the outside of the foot, and how to avoid pain in the side of the foot.
Zorica Nastasic / Getty Images
What Does the Peroneal Tendon Do?
The peroneal tendon helps stabilize your ankle in tandem with the peroneal brevis. The peroneal longus and peroneal brevis run parallel to each other, attaching from the bottom of your foot to theperoneal longus muscle, which runs down your outer calf.
Together, the muscles and tendons help move your foot. When you move your foot outward, the peroneal muscle contracts. It also helps support balance, especially when you stand on one leg.
A Word From VerywellGradually increasing your exercise/running routine will help prevent overuse injuries like peroneal tendonitis. The wrong shoes can also cause this injury, so if you change shoes and notice pain, you should stop using those shoes and reevaluate. Sometimes, this may improve with the gradually increasing use of those new shoes, but you may be better off seeking a new pair.—DANIEL COMBS, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
A Word From Verywell
Gradually increasing your exercise/running routine will help prevent overuse injuries like peroneal tendonitis. The wrong shoes can also cause this injury, so if you change shoes and notice pain, you should stop using those shoes and reevaluate. Sometimes, this may improve with the gradually increasing use of those new shoes, but you may be better off seeking a new pair.—DANIEL COMBS, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
Gradually increasing your exercise/running routine will help prevent overuse injuries like peroneal tendonitis. The wrong shoes can also cause this injury, so if you change shoes and notice pain, you should stop using those shoes and reevaluate. Sometimes, this may improve with the gradually increasing use of those new shoes, but you may be better off seeking a new pair.
—DANIEL COMBS, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
What Does Peroneal Tendonitis Feel Like?
If you have peroneal tendonitis, you’ll experience pain in the outer ankle. The pain often gets worse if you press on the outer ankle, where you may be able to feel a bump or swelling. You may also notice other symptoms, including:
The best way to distinguish peroneal tendonitis from othertypes of ankle tendonitisis based on location. If your pain or swelling is on the outer ankle, it’s likely peroneal tendonitis.
What Causes Peroneal Tendonitis?
Risk factors for peroneal tendonitis
You may be at risk for peroneal tendonitis if you have:
In addition, wearing unsupportive shoes or having poor form while you’re exercising can lead to tendonitis.
How Is Peroneal Tendonitis Diagnosed?
Peroneal tendonitis can often be diagnosed through a physical exam alone, although your healthcare provider may also suggest imaging, includingX-raysand amagnetic resonance imaging scan (MRI). In particular, an MRI is ordered when healthcare providers are concerned that you might have aperoneal tendon tear.
During a physical exam, your healthcare provider may ask you to walk. They’ll examine your ankle and foot and press at different points around the peroneal tendon to check for abnormalities.
How Peroneal Tendonitis Is Treated
The treatments for peroneal tendonitis depend on how severe your symptoms are and how long you’ve had them. At first, the treatments for peroneal tendonitis are simple and involve:
With those measures, most cases of peroneal tendonitis get better within three months.If you’re still having pain at that point, you may need more treatments, includingphysical therapy for peroneal tendonitis.
Treating recurring peroneal tendonitis
If your peroneal tendonitis continues to come back, you might need more invasive treatments. Healthcare providers may even recommend that you wear a cast for six weeks.
Rarely, patients will need surgery to treat peroneal tendonitis. This may be the case if you have:
Steroid injections aren’t recommended for peroneal tendonitis.
Ways to Prevent Peroneal Tendonitis
Though preventing tendonitis isn’t always possible, ways to reduce your risk of getting it can include:
The Recovery and Rehabilitation Process
Uncomplicated cases of peroneal tendonitis usually get better with treatment and rest in about six weeks. However, some people have symptoms that last well beyond that. If you are feeling ongoing pain in your ankle, see a physical therapist or healthcare provider. They can help you create a recovery and rehabilitation plan that works for you.
When to Contact a Healthcare Provider
See your healthcare provider if you experience:
Complications From Peroneal Tendonitis
In most cases, peroneal tendonitis gets better with at-home treatments and time. However, your pain could get worse, or your tendonitis could lead to a tear. Always reach out to your healthcare provider if your pain is increasing.
Summary
Peroneal tendonitis is an inflammation of the ankle tendons that causes pain and swelling on the outer ankle. It’s a result of repetitive movement, including running long distances. In most cases, it gets better with rest and at-home intervention, though some may need physical therapy to heal from it. In rare cases, you may need surgery to help treat it. If home remedies don’t help within six weeks, talk with your healthcare provider.
6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Davda K, Malhotra K, O’Donnell P, et al.Peroneal tendon disorders. EFORT Open Reviews. 2017.Integrative Foot & Ankle Centers of Washington.Peroneal tendons.Grimsrud C.Peroneal tendonitis. University of Colorado Medical School.Mercy Health.Peroneal tendonitis.Bon Secours.Peroneal tendon injury.NHS Lanarkshire.Peroneal tendinopathy.
6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Davda K, Malhotra K, O’Donnell P, et al.Peroneal tendon disorders. EFORT Open Reviews. 2017.Integrative Foot & Ankle Centers of Washington.Peroneal tendons.Grimsrud C.Peroneal tendonitis. University of Colorado Medical School.Mercy Health.Peroneal tendonitis.Bon Secours.Peroneal tendon injury.NHS Lanarkshire.Peroneal tendinopathy.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Davda K, Malhotra K, O’Donnell P, et al.Peroneal tendon disorders. EFORT Open Reviews. 2017.Integrative Foot & Ankle Centers of Washington.Peroneal tendons.Grimsrud C.Peroneal tendonitis. University of Colorado Medical School.Mercy Health.Peroneal tendonitis.Bon Secours.Peroneal tendon injury.NHS Lanarkshire.Peroneal tendinopathy.
Davda K, Malhotra K, O’Donnell P, et al.Peroneal tendon disorders. EFORT Open Reviews. 2017.
Integrative Foot & Ankle Centers of Washington.Peroneal tendons.
Grimsrud C.Peroneal tendonitis. University of Colorado Medical School.
Mercy Health.Peroneal tendonitis.
Bon Secours.Peroneal tendon injury.
NHS Lanarkshire.Peroneal tendinopathy.
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