Peroneal tendon pathologies: From the diagnosis to treatment

Abstract

Peroneal tendon pathologies are rare but often underdiagnosed. There may be an association with chronic lateral ankle instability as well as with varus hindfoot alignment. Pathologies of the tendons fall into three categories: tendinitis and tenosynovitis, tendon ruptures and tears, and tendon subluxation and dislocation. Magnetic resonance imaging is the standard method for radiological assessment; however, the diagnosis and treatment are based primarily on patient history and clinical examination. A primary conservative treatment can be attempted, except for peroneal tendon dislocations in professional athletes. Surgical treatment should be targeted to the underlying pathology and can accordingly vary from tendoscopic synovectomy to anatomic repair of the superior peroneal retinaculum with deepening of the retromalleolar groove. Postoperative results show high patient satisfaction and low reluxation rates.