Are you feeling pain in your ankle or walking with a limp? It’s common to hear about ankle sprains that occur from a fall or athletic activity, but there are ankle injuries that can occur over a period of time. One of these conditions involves the peroneal tendons that run behind the protruding ankle bone on the outside of your foot which control its outward movement. When these tendons become inflamed or injured due to overuse or stress, peroneal tendinosis can develop.

What are the symptoms?

Peroneal tendinosis commonly occurs to athletes who engage in repetitive motions and use their feet, whether it’s running, dancing, or kicking. If you have high arches, you may also be susceptible in developing peroneal tendinosis.

• Pain in the back of the ankle
• Swelling
• Weakness in the ankle

What are the treatments?

Since peroneal tendinosis is a chronic condition that develops over a long period of time, it is important to determine what the underlying cause was to prevent the injury from worsening. Treatments vary depending on the severity of the injury, but the goal is to decrease pain, discomfort, and the amount of stress on the tendons.

• Rest
• Brace to minimize ankle movement
• Physical therapy can help reduce swelling and rebuild muscles and strength once the tendon is healed
• Surgery

Conservative measures are usually enough for peroneal tendinosis to heal, but severe tears or lack of improvement may need surgery. The first step if you notice pain or discomfort in your ankle is to consult with a foot care specialist who can assess and treat your specific condition.

At Your Next Step, you will have a team of skilled podiatrists Dr. Eric Ricefield, Dr. Mark Yagodich and Dr. Aliza V. Eisen to take care of your foot and ankle problems. Whether it’s a sports injury, a chronic tendon injury, nail fungus, or a toe deformity like bunions or hammertoes, you will be in the best of hands. Contact us to schedule an appointment at any of our locations in Ardmore, Paoli, or Downingtown.