Pain and swelling in the peroneal tendons located in the lower, outside portion of the ankle. These tendons connect 2 muscles (peroneus longus and peroneus brevis) to the bones in the foot. On their way down the leg they wrap around the lateral malleolus (the bone on the outside of the ankle) before attaching to the bottom of the foot. These muscles are responsible for moving the foot outward and are very important in balancing and stabilizing the ankle. Most ankle sprains occur as a result of rolling the ankle inward. One reason for this is that the peroneal muscles and tendons are not as strong as the muscles on the inside of the ankle. If these muscles are weak they may not be able to prevent the ankle from rolling inward. These muscles can also be overworked if the foot isn’t hitting the ground in proper alignment. If the foot hits the ground more on the outside of the foot (supination), the peroneal muscles and tendons have to work harder to stabilize the ankle. This can lead to an overuse injury of the peroneal tendons. Peroneal tendonopathy leads to an aching pain on the outside of the ankle that increases with activity, swelling and/or tenderness to touch behind the ankle bone on the outside of the ankle, pain and weakness when actively moving the foot in an outward direction, pain when pushing off the foot when walking or running, pain when walking on a sloped terrain that turns the foot outward, and pain when stretching the foot in an inward and downward direction.
The Physical Therapists at Apple Physical Therapy will design a personalized treatment plan specific to you and your injury that will include range of motion, stretching and strengthening exercises to improve mobility and strength in your peroneal tendon, ankle and leg to allow you to return to normal daily activity. We will include balance-training exercises to improve ankle stability and leg strength. Manual therapy techniques such as massage to the peroneal muscles and tendon and stretching of the surrounding muscles to restore normal motion of the leg and to facilitate healing will be included. If indicated we will include the use of the Graston Technique, instrument assisted massage to help break down scar tissue and muscular restrictions. If necessary, your PT may elect to use modalities such as ice, heat, and/or ultrasound to decrease swelling, pain and ready the body for exercise.
With convenient locations in both Cherry Hill NJ and Marlton NJ, Apple Physical Therapy proudly serves such areas as Cherry Hill, Marlton, Medford, Voorhees, Mount Laurel, Maple Shade, Berlin, Moorestown and all of South Jersey’s Camden and Burlington counties. If you are looking for a Physical Therapist in the Cherry Hill area, we welcome you to our practice. Meet our team and schedule your appointment with us today!