Anatomical orientation for tendon disorders | Tendinitis at the ankle

Anatomical orientation for tendon disorders

If there is pain in the rear outer ankle, it is usually an inflammation of the peroneal tendon. This affects the tendons of the so-called peroneal muscles, which are located on the outside of the fibula and ensure that the foot remains in the correct position while walking.If an inflammation of the tendon occurs on the outside of the ankle, this is usually due to a gradual process with prolonged overloading (incorrect footwear or excessive sporting strain). Since the tendons on the outer ankle are affected, the pain and swelling will also occur there.

In most cases, patients also experience pain when the foot is lifted to the outside or inside of the ankle, as the tendons are stretched or compressed. A varus malposition of the heel can also be the cause of an inflammation of the tendon on the outer ankle. In this case, the heel is bent outwards, which causes the tendons and the joint to change over a longer period of time, which can lead to tendonitis.

The tendon of the posterior tibialis muscle is usually responsible for tendonitis of the inner ankle. This tendon runs behind the inner malleolus towards the underside of the foot and is responsible for the arching of the foot. Therefore, pain can also occur on the underside of the foot.

Here too, tendon inflammation is usually caused by overloading (e.g. overweight). If the inflammation of the tendon is accompanied by degeneration and change, a so-called flat foot can develop after a longer period of time, since the tendon of the M. tibialis posterior can no longer fulfill its function. Early therapy is therefore very important.

For example, the formation of a flat foot should be counteracted by wearing insoles. If the pain and swelling occur above the ankle, only the upper part of the tendon is affected. Depending on whether the pain is described at the inner or outer ankle, the tendons of the respective muscles are affected.

If the upper external ankle is affected, the tendons are those of the peroneal longus or brevis muscle. These tendons can easily become inflamed when overstressed or twisted. At the inner ankle, the tendon of the posterior tibialis muscle is usually affected, which extends from above the ankle further down to the underside of the foot.

Since the tendon inflammation rarely causes pain above the ankle in isolation, the pain can also be felt below the ankle when walking, for example. Here too, it is advisable to relieve the foot so that the affected tendons can recover. Pain and swelling below the ankle can also be caused by tendon inflammation at the ankle.

Again, the cause can be either the tendons of the outer or inner lower leg muscles. For example, the tendons of the peroneus longus muscle and the peroneus brevis muscle run behind and below the outer ankle. If both or one of the two tendons is overloaded, they can become inflamed and cause discomfort.

On the inside, below the ankle, the tendons of the posterior tibialis muscle and the long flexor hallucis muscle and the long flexor digitorum muscle run along the inside of the ankle. If these tendons are injured by heavy loading or bending or twisting, they can become inflamed and cause corresponding complaints such as pain when descending stairs. As with any tendon inflammation of the ankle, a resting phase should be carried out and possibly anti-inflammatory painkillers such as ibuprofen or diclofenac should be taken. In the case of long-lasting or recurring complaints, a doctor should be consulted, as these can also involve defective positions of the foot or other injuries (for example in the joint or nerves).