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Peroneal Tendonitis/Tendon Subluxation?

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Josh Janes · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2001 · Points: 9,930

This is happening to me. Anyone else have positive results with treatment? Surgical vs. Non-surgical?

David Rivers · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Sep 2008 · Points: 20

Josh and JSH,

I've had problems w/the peroneal tendon for 20 years, due to a fall in Josh. For the last 10 years, I thought the pain was due to a necrotic spot in the Talus bone, but after discovering trigger point therapy this spring have tied it to the peroneal muscles.

Trigger point massage brings immediate relief which can last for hours to days depending how active I am. Trad climbing aggravates the area more than vertical to steep sport climbing.

This spring, I bought a home ultrasound device for a different injury. It seemed to help speed healing greatly over the typical predicted healing time. I used it once so far on the peroneal tendon and muscles and had longer lasting relief than from massage alone.

The Trigger Point Workbook by Claire Davies is a good resource. Ultrasound devices are as cheap as $100 online. Self treatment in combination w/a good practitioner produce the best results in my experience.

Josh Janes · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2001 · Points: 9,930

So the verdict with mine is pretty typical peroneal tendon "retinaculum" tear. Poor outcome w/o surgery, excellent outcome with surgery. JSH, it sounds like mine is a bit worse than yours, but maybe yours is masked by the more significant problems you've had with your ankle? In my case, unfortunately, there's no "wait and see" - it's a must-operate situ. But it should be a pretty simple fix.

Josh Janes · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2001 · Points: 9,930

Julie, this entire past year the attachment point of the retinaculum (lateral malleolus) has been achey, so I think there was some chronic inflammation. This could be due to any number of reasons (my big fall, ACL surgery last year, who knows). But the actual rupture occurred during a routine rock over move on "Forbidden Zone" a few weeks ago.

According to my surgeon, every time my peroneal tendon subluxates, it gets shredded (it's already shredded), and it's only a matter of time before it ruptures which will make things a lot worse. That, and, my tendon subluxates during fairly routine movements (walking or even stretching my ankle) and when it does, it is rather... painful. So, surgery ASAP.

Apparently my particular bone structure (high arches and no groove in the fibula to accommodate the peroneal tendon) makes me pre-disposed to this kind of thing, but during the surgery they'll deepen the groove and at least, according to my surgeon, it should never be a problem for me again (he said I'll be more confident with that ankle than my uninjured ankle). 4-6 weeks recovery time - NWB.

Sorry to hear about your messed-up limbs Julie. My body seemed totally overuse-injury-ache-and-sprain-proof until my big fall... now it seems to be very pissed off at me.

redlude97 · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2010 · Points: 5

I have/had peroneal tendon subluxation in both ankles now. I tore the retinaculum on each ankle on seperate occasions. On the first ankle I tore it over 3 years ago, lived with it for 2 years before scheduling surgery, and tore the retinaculum on the other ankle 4 days before surgery. They fixed the new tear and it is 90% better after repair which included a bone block. I still get some minor intrasheath subluxation on the repaired ankle, and it is definitely still tight and lost a bit of ROM. 8 weeks on crutches, 12 weeks before I was walking seminormally, at which point I started climbing with a walking boot on. about 4months before I started toproping without a boot on, and 6 months until I started bouldering on it. Recovery isn't trivial.

As far as the nonoperated ankle, it still pops probably 1-2 times a day on average, and over the years the popping has gotten less painful. There is always still a chance of rupture, and I can't run on it very well but walking/hiking are fine. Can still climb on it but jamming is out. Controlled movement is key. Taping/bracing doesn't work, but is can become manageable. I'm not planning on having surgery on the other ankle any time soon and would rather just deal with the limitations.

Erik Rieger · · Maine · Joined Jul 2010 · Points: 682

Had peroneal tendon subluxation almost three years ago now. I tried for a few weeks to go the non-surgical path but it seemed dismal, not to mention painful as hell. I did the surgery.

I didn't think it would be a big deal, according to the ortho as well. Had my retinaculum repaired and artificially stapled down and a new groove drilled in my bone. 8 weeks on crutches, one in a boot, lots of PT, and I was still able to make a Bugaboos expedition 5-6 months out from surgery. Pain was bad till about 8 months time and mobility terrible. I was always worried it would pop out again, but that was just paranoia.

I'm now climbing as hard as I ever had, no pain in my foot after I was a year out from surgery but I'm positive I'll never have the same mobility/stability as before, and I believe constant attention to peroneal tendon health is pretty important following the surgery.

Good luck, you will be back to "normal", just don't expect it to be an easy road.

Dave Bacon · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Sep 2012 · Points: 0

Look's like this thread is a few months old, but I wanted to throw out my experience:

I had my peroneal retinaculum ligament torn at the end of April. I was bouldering and doing a standard rocker move putting all my weight onto my right foot and as soon as I rocked the weight my ligament blew (loud pop). I could walk on it right way and it didn't swell too bad, so I just iced and elevated for about 3 days, but I noticed the subluxation feeling and that just didn't feel right. I saw my primary doc who did know what the deal was, 2 weeks later I saw an ortho and he said he was "pessimistic" it would heal on its own, but I tried a light aircast anyway for 3 weeks. No one bothered to do any imaging - that is the first step - get the MRI and figure out what exactly is going on. Didn't get better. Went to another ortho for second opinion (after MRI) and he said I had a 50/50 shot of healing but put me in a metal boot for 6 weeks. Didn't heal.

Finally after months of not being able to do any activity I got the surgery 3 weeks ago. I just had the retinaculum reattached (they put in absorbable bone anchors drilled into the bone and tied the anchors to the ligment). I didn't have to do any groove widening. Surgery was easy and I only had to take ibuprofen after (although they still provide Vicadin if you need it). I woke up in a cast and had the cast cut off 2 weeks later and was put into a metal boot. I started weight-bearing very lightly with crutches after the 2 week mark. I have my first PT appointment today (3 weeks post op).

My advice - get the surgery as soon as you can. I wasted 2 months between not getting the right advice and not sucking it up and doing it when I knew it was the best option. Success rate is well above 90% and they told me, conservatively, I could bike 8 weeks post-op and that I should be back to full strength bouldering 6 months post-op.

Good Luck.

Josh Janes · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2001 · Points: 9,930

Every time it "pops" the peroneal tendon is moving over your lateral malleolus - maybe it'll be fine, maybe it won't (liken it to a rope under tension dragging across a sharp edge?).

In my case (just a couple dozen pops before I had surgery) and my peroneal tendon was already shredded. They were able to repair it though.

Deepened my (non-existant) groove and reattached the retinaculum. This was last July (I was then non weight bearing for a month). I climbed 5.13 in January, but the real test will be how it does at Indian Creek. Noticeable loss of mobility (inversion) and weakness, but I'm glad I had it done.

Having a podiatrist do this operation sounds crazy to me but who knows.

Alex Washburne · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Apr 2010 · Points: 65
Josh Janes wrote:Every time it "pops" the peroneal tendon is moving over your lateral malleolus - maybe it'll be fine, maybe it won't (liken it to a rope under tension dragging across a sharp edge?). In my case (just a couple dozen pops before I had surgery) and my peroneal tendon was already shredded. They were able to repair it though. Deepened my (non-existant) groove and reattached the retinaculum. This was last July (I was then non weight bearing for a month). I climbed 5.13 in January, but the real test will be how it does at Indian Creek. Noticeable loss of mobility (inversion) and weakness, but I'm glad I had it done. Having a podiatrist do this operation sounds crazy to me but who knows.
Hey Josh!

I had the same injury and received the same treatment (retinaculum repair and deepened groove). I climbed one-footed while wearing the boot (TR is better than bouldering for obvious reason) and when they set my ankle free I started doing the recommmended rehab while watching Rocky montages. I got more than a full recovery - now, my previously injured ankle is indestructible!! I call it my android ankle.

Hope you have a similar experience, and I hope you bask in the joy of being able to climb again at the creek!!!
Dave Bacon · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Sep 2012 · Points: 0

Jim (and all),

I'd recommend the surgery sooner rather than later. My only regret was not doing the surgery sooner. Josh's analogy of a rope under tension dragging across a sharp edge is a good one. The more damage you do to the peroneal, the longer your rehab will be.

I'd opt for a orthopod over a podiatrist. I saw 3 different docs before choosing mine (My wife is a nurse, so she knew a surgical assistant that had seen each actually perform the surgery, so I ultimately went with his pick). Pre-op prep - watch your diet more than anything - there isn't any strengthening you can do. Since you need the right nutrition to recover and since you won't be as active, just be aware of that in your diet.

Post-op, just do everything they tell you to do. Do the exercises. It sounds simple, but this is where most people can screw it up. Just listen to your PT and spend a lot of time on the bike.

I have some soreness after a heard climbing/bouldering session in the gym, but nothing that hinders my abilities. I'm as confident doing the same moves with the same power as I was before the surgery.

Good Luck!

Best,

Dave

sarahd · · Lakewood, CO · Joined Feb 2006 · Points: 30

Does anyone have an ankle surgeon in the Front Range that they’d recommend?

I dislocated my ankle 7 weeks ago when I fell and hit my foot. The MRI showed subluxed peroneal tendons and possibly a longitudinal split in the peroneous brevis. My tendons haven’t moved over the lateral malleolus since the injury. However, the non-surgical route seems to have a high chance of re-injury. I’m also lacking a groove in the fibula, which makes me pre-disposed to this type of injury. I’m hoping to get a second opinion and find a good surgeon. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Josh Janes · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2001 · Points: 9,930

If your tendon hasn't subluxed since the injury I'd definitely get a second opinion and consider the surgery carefully. In my case it has not been without some significant long term (well, I'm two years out from the surgery) consequences.

But I can recommend Dr Leland at Mapleton Hill Orthopaedics.

Dave Bacon · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Sep 2012 · Points: 0

As I mentioned in my previous post, I saw 3 separate docs before going with surgery. I saw Leland first, my general impression (and my wife's, who is a nurses in Boulder) is that he is a very good surgeon but he seemed a little pushy with surgery. I got a second opinion from Dr. Shonka at Foot and Ankle Care of Boulder. Because of my case/age/athletic ability, he though surgery wasn't necessary and i spent 8 weeks in a boot. My opinion was that his bedside manner was better, I also know he is a great surgeon, but I needed the surgery so his initial assessment (FOR MY CASE) was off.

When I still had issues after wearing the boot I saw Dr. Stephen Paul at Boulder Orthopedics. I would recommend him to anyone. He was a great balance of between Leland and Shonka. Most importantly, I know a surgical assistant that had actually done my surgery with Paul and he was extremely impressed. I was sold.

Hope that helps and good luck with your decision. Anyway you do it, make sure you don't come back too fast - be patient.

Josh Janes · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2001 · Points: 9,930

So my long term side effects have been perpetual minor swelling, peripheral nerve damage (no sensation around my lateral malleous) and a general aching/pain where the retinaculum was reattached especially after hard climbing/hiking. The first two issues are merely annoying but the pain issue is upsetting. Anyone else who had the surgery have similar experiences? The subluxing is fixed and I've gone on to do my hardest climbing and hiking ever since the surgery.

Josh Janes · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2001 · Points: 9,930

Oh yeah, and a vericose vein in my calf - but this is my second major injury to my left leg so it was probably bound to happen...

sarahd · · Lakewood, CO · Joined Feb 2006 · Points: 30

Josh and Dave,
Thank you!! This is great information. Leland is the doctor I have seen so far and I also got the impression that he is very pro-surgery for this injury. My layman’s understanding is that even though my tendons haven’t gone over the lateral malleolus since the accident, they are not in the correct place (They are on top of one another). That problem, combined with a potential split in one of them may be causing on-going pain. It’s hard to know how long to deal with the pain before getting surgery... Not to mention the constant wonder of when/ if I will re-injure it.
Josh, I hope your ankle pain goes away.

Josh Janes · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2001 · Points: 9,930

All of my complications were a direct result from the surgery itself. However, in addition to pain I could not walk let alone climb after the injury, so I had to do it. Only you can make the decision about what to do - but it might be good to get a second opinion. I just wanted you to be aware that a groove deepening procedure and all the soft tissue repair that might be done is a pretty major surgery - not to mention what being non-weight-bearing will do to you.

Dave Bacon · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Sep 2012 · Points: 0

I think Leland is a great surgeon and to his credit, he was right about being pushy about the surgery. I was 28 and thought I was still pretty invincible, so I think I was just shocked that was the correct thing to do. It sounds like he is giving you good advice.

My experience - My retinaculum was torn doing a pretty standard move bouldering. I had a leg out on a ledge, rocked all my weight up and onto the ledge and it blew under stress. I walked on it right away to see if it was broken and it seemed functional so I didn't get it looked at right away. After a week and a half noticing it was sublexing, I saw Leland and tried an aircast on the ankle for 3 weeks. No help. I saw Shonka, got an MRI, bone grooves looked good, but retinaculum was definitely torn. I tried a full boot for 8 weeks. No help. I saw Paul and had the surgery. Mine was relatively minor, my peroneal was in good shape and my groove was deep enough, so it was just a retinaculum repair. I was on pain killers for the day after surgery and then I just opted for ibprofen. I was non-weight bearing for 2 weeks, partial for 1-2 weeks and then full weight in a boot for 2-3 weeks. Rehab was tough, but I was diligent about it (I went to Boulder Sports Med). Stationary biking was the best and I still do it regularly. I was very diligent about rehab because I was supposed to be scuba diving in late-december and my surgery was late august and I was worried about finning with a new ankle. Turned out fine.

I was climbing 4-5 months after rehab. Physically I was back bouldering 6 months post-op, but mentally I still didn't trust I was back. I would be pretty sore after a good session. I was back on V5 and mid-to-hi 5.11s comfortably (mentally and physically) 7-8 months out.

I'm a year and half post-op now. I am back climbing V6-V7 and mid-5.12 in the gym without any side effects during or after. I do spend more time in the weight room (lifting and preventative stuff) now then on the wall and have more strength in my legs then ever and I think that has helped. The only time I notice my ankle is on weird weather changes - but I also notice other old injuries when the weather is weird.

All our injuries vary in severity and subsequently in recovery, but all sounds positive. These posts were very helpful for me during research since it seemed like a rare injury there wasn't a whole lot out there. Thanks for everyone's posts, good luck to everyone moving forward.

Best,

Dave

Dave N · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jul 2014 · Points: 0

Hi Everyone,

I think I have the same problem: peroneal tendon subluxation

I wish you all are fully recovered, and speed recovery for those who are not.

I had a fall, popped and swollen couple years ago, I didn't see a doctor at that time, just rest and ice, and ankle seemed to be fine; did x ray back then and no problem as no pain too. then I went to see a Orth. Dr and he diagnosed me may have peroneal tendon subluxation with ultrasound device. Told me eventually I had to do surgery in order to fix this.

Every now and then the dislocation or subluxation happened when i walk or stand too long, or if high pressure on my foot or ankle. or when I squat. It doesn't hurt in a way.. I can also easily move the "tendon" back and forth.

I haven't gone to check MRI and still looking for good ankle and foot specialists or surgeons in New York.

I am extremely worried about the pain, cost, complication and mental depression after the surgery. Wish you can help me out,

How much does it cost to do the surgery? also the PT?
The pain, is it really unbearable? or how you manage it? how long did you think you are pain free?
any complication? still pain? popping? any other side effects after 2 years?
as the depression, i am really worried or depressed now :(
Also when did you start taking bath? 2 weeks after surgery?
Anything I need to prepare in advance for the recovery? as simple as knee walker? or bath chair??

Thanks in advance and much appreciates for your help

Dave N · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jul 2014 · Points: 0

Thanks a lot Jim,

I really appreciate for your quick reply !

Was that Ironman taking a bath?! =) Love the Red and your supporting crew! It is amazing to see how strong your are mentally and physically. No way people believe you are at 60s!

Wish I can be so strong like you once I finished my ordeal.

hopefully my Primary Dr will give me suggestions and recommendation on the surgeons and take MRI and see how bad my ankle is. I hope it will be a very simply fix like Dave Bacon.

I believe my hamstrings & quads and calves are in quite bad shape as I didn't do much exercises after 2 years ago. probably I won't take a bath until cast off as I need to climb up and down stairs on my bedroom and bathroom. Most likely I will stay on my sofa I believe. Knee Scooter sounds good, I wonder if you or anyone try iwalker 2.0? people said it is better than traditional crutches. Thank positive and be happy is one of the main key on recovery.

Thanks again Jim and everyone. Wish me luck!

sarahd · · Lakewood, CO · Joined Feb 2006 · Points: 30

Dave,
I’ll share my experience as well and try to answer your questions. About 16 weeks ago I had surgery to repair my retinaculum, peroneus brevis, and a Brostrom procedure to tighten the ligament. I dislocated my peroneal tendons and tore my peroneus brevis when I rolled my ankle in a fall. I already had a weak ankle from many years of ankle sprains, so that was a factor.

Weeks 1-4: non-weight bearing in a cast. I was on pain meds for five days straight and then on and off as needed during the next couple weeks. The throbbing was bad and I needed to keep my foot elevated pretty much 24/7. You’ll need lots of pillows to elevate your foot. I even slept with my foot on at least 4 pillows.

Weeks 5-6: Walking boot and transitioning to weight bearing. It took me two whole weeks to transition to weight bearing and the process was painful. PT started once the cast came off. I had terrible muscle atrophy in my entire leg, despite trying to exercise my quad while still in the cast. Knee also hurt badly once I started putting weight on that foot again.

Weeks 7-10: No more walking boot or crutches, although I was walking with a limp; PT twice a week, lots of stiffness and swelling, but not nearly as much pain.

Weeks 11-16: Walking without a limp and pain free; Started top roping easy climbs at the gym at about 13 weeks. Knee pain mostly gone at week 16 after lots of squats and exercises to strengthen my VMO.

• Costs: I think my insurance was billed 14k from the surgery center, 8k from the doctor, 2.5k for the MRI, and maybe 1k so far for PT. I think those are the full costs, not the costs negotiated by my insurance company. I had to pay a high deductible and then 100% was covered after that.
• Pain: Pain during the first week was pretty bad… my cast felt too tight and terrible pain when my foot would randomly twitch. Majority of pain gone after 2 weeks. I went back to my office job after 1.5 weeks.
• Depression: Not being able to walk is depressing and isolating. No doubt about that. I had plenty of frustrating and poor-me moments. That’ll happen. However, you will get better. It helped me to focus on the longer term progress, rather than comparing the day-to-day. I learned to enjoy the temporary slower pace, rather than the normal go go go.
• Showering: I used a bath seat and removable shower head for almost two months. I wrapped my cast in a garbage bag and hung my leg outside the tub. I think I began showering (seated) at day 5 after surgery.
• Preparation: I used crutches and thought they were fine. You’ll want lots of pillows for elevating. I spent a lot of time watching Netflix and reading library e-books. You’ll need lots of easy meals that you can make with minimal standing.

Good luck!

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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