OP
In case of peroneal tendon inflammation, surgery is usually not necessary. However, if the inflammation is caused by a bone protrusion irritating the tendon, surgery may help. The operation would then remove the bone spur and clean the tendon.
A further indication for surgery is when the inflammation of the tendon has led to a tear. In this case, the first step is to remove the effusions and repair the tendon. If a longitudinal tear covers less than 50% of the length of the tendon, the torn part is removed.
However, if the tear is longer than 50%, the tendon must be cleaned and sutured to adjacent, intact tendons. In many cases, the canal in which the peroneal tendon runs is smoothed and deepened so that the tendon has better protection and is not further reamed. This also prevents the tendon from jumping out (luxation).In most cases, surgery restores the full resilience of the peroneal tendon and thus the ability to participate in sports.
However, only after a 12-week post-operative period: In the first 6 weeks after the operation, affected persons must wear a lower leg cast. In the following 8 weeks, the load is gradually increased. After 13 weeks at the earliest, patients are allowed to put full weight on the foot again.
Alternative therapy measures
In the case of peroneal tendon inflammation, additional physical measures, such as ultrasound treatment, can alleviate the inflammation. If the cause of the inflammation is a pronounced hollow foot, specially made insoles can help. Many sufferers report that cold applications, such as cold packs or quark wraps, reduce the pain. If necessary, acupuncture or homeopathic remedies such as arnica can also help.
Summary
Inflammation of the peroneal tendons is a protracted disease that often occurs as a result of excessive or incorrect strain. The treatment is conservative and consists primarily of immobilising and relieving the peroneal tendon. Physiotherapy helps affected persons so that the surrounding musculature does not weaken during the period of immobilization and during the slow increase in load after the symptoms have subsided.
In most cases, the conservative therapy can completely restore the load capacity. Only if the inflammation does not improve even after several months or the tendon is torn, surgical treatment is necessary.
