Tapes | Exercises for existing peroneal tendon inflammation

Tapes

When therapists or doctors speak of “taping”, they mean the application of self-adhesive, elastic adhesive strips (so-called kinesio tapes) to the skin. Their mode of action has not yet been scientifically clarified, but there are numerous positive reports of experience. In the case of peroneal tendon inflammation, taping can help to give the ankle joint more stability, relieve pain and reduce possible swelling.

There are various application techniques for the application of tapes. Therefore, only one possibility is described below. The affected person sits on a treatment bench so that he can fully extend his legs and the foot of the affected side protrudes beyond the end of the bench.

Now the affected person pulls his toes towards him so that the outer ankle is at right angles, neutral position (90°). The first tape is attached with one end to the inside of the heel bone. From there, the tape is pulled across the sole of the foot to the outer ankle and over the most painful point (usually above the outer ankle) straight up along the outside of the calf. Without pulling, the tape is smoothed out there. A second tape is applied crosswise to the inside of the foot and from there it is taped around the heel and ankle bone with pull backwards.

Torn peroneal tendon

The peroneal tendon tears only in rare cases. If it does, it is usually the result of acute trauma. It often affects runners or soccer players.

However, the peroneal tendon can also tear if it has been overstressed for years and was previously damaged. Strong pains occur, so that affected persons usually can no longer occur. If the peroneal tendon tears, doctors distinguish whether it is either a longitudinal tear within the tendon, the so-called “Peroneal Tendon Split Syndrome”, or whether the tendon has slipped out of its slide bearing.

This distinction is crucial for treatment, so the first step is to perform a magnetic resonance tomography (MRI). With this diagnostic procedure, the injury can be well visualized and the location of the tear can be assessed. The Peroneal Tendon Split Syndrome, for example, is most frequently seen at the level of the external ankle and usually affects the tendon of the short fibula muscle.

If the injury is fresh, conservative therapy can be started. This consists mainly of immobilizing the ankle joint in a lower leg-foot orthosis (Walker) for at least 6 weeks. In most cases, however, the diagnosis is delayed, so that surgery is necessary.