About Peroneal Tendon Dislocation:
The peroneal tendons are located on the outer edge of the lower portion of the legs. They are encapsulated in a fibrous tunnel that runs behind the lateral malleolus. Any type of damage or injury to this tunnel may cause the peroneal tendon to move out of its normal anatomical position. This is what is known as Peroneal Tendon Subluxation. In some cases, the tendon move back into its normal place by themselves. This phenomenon is called as relocation. In case if the tendon does not get back into its place then the tendon is said to be dislocated. In case of the peroneal tendons, it is called as Peroneal Tendon Dislocation.
Ankle sprain is believed to be the primary cause of Peroneal Tendon Dislocation. Frequent ankle sprains damage the peroneal tendons. When the ankle rolls in during a sprain the retinaculum that holds the peroneal tendons in place gets significantly damaged causing the tendons to move out of their place.
Normally, the tendons relocate back into place once the sprain resolves and the retinaculum heals but in some cases the tendons do not move back into place leading to Peroneal Tendon Dislocation.
For timely treatment of a Peroneal Tendon Dislocation it is vital to get the diagnosis early. This article gives an overview of some of the ways to test for Peroneal Tendon Dislocation.
How is Peroneal Tendon Dislocation Diagnosed?
To diagnose or test an individual for a Peroneal Tendon Dislocation, the physician begins with a close examination of the affected ankle. The physician will test for the range of motion of the ankle and observe for any pain experienced while attempting range of motion. Observation will also be made of whether the tendons move out of their place while moving the ankle in various directions.
The physician will also test by putting pressure on the ankle and pulling the foot outwards. While putting pressure on the ankle, the physician feels the back of the leg to see if the tendon moves out of its place.
In case if there is a suspicion of a retinaculum tear, then radiological studies in the form of x-rays which will confirm a tear in the retinaculum along with any other injuries in the ankle if present.
An MRI scan of the ankle may also be done to look for any additional injuries, swelling, or inflammation in the ankle. The results of all of these tests will confirm the diagnosis of a Peroneal Tendon Dislocation.
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