Information
Peroneal tendinopathy should be suspected when a patient presents with chronic lateral ankle pain. Ankle sprains are common and 40% will go on to develop chronic ankle pain including peroneal tendinopathy.
The peroneal muscle group are the primary evertors and plantarflexors of the foot and function as lateral ankle stabilisers. The patient may give a history of ankle inversion injuries or lateral ankle instability. The pain or swelling is commonly posterior to the lateral malleolus and may follow the course of the tendon extending distally into the lateral plantar midfoot, pain is elicited with inversion of the foot.
Patients may correlate pain with rising onto the ball of the foot and onset of pain after periods of rest. Pain is commonly of gradual onset and progressively worsens. Common contributing factors of peroneal tendinopathy include sudden increase in physical activity, unsupportive footwear, history of ankle sprains/trauma, being overweight, and running on uneven surfaces.
Who to refer:
Anyone regardless of age with lateral ankle pain if self management measures have failed.
Who not to refer:
Patients who are undergoing ongoing management for this condition with another service.
General Advice
- Provide patient leaflet – Rehabilitation for ankle sprains
- Activity modification to manage symptoms
- Consider pain relief
- If no improvements after following advice for 6 weeks refer or advise patient to self-refer to Podiatry Community Service
For Patients
NHS Lothian Podiatry patient information leaflet: Rehabilitation for ankle sprains (nhslothian.scot)
For Health Professionals
