Review Question - QID 396

At the level of the ankle the peroneal tendons are contained in the retromalleolar sulcus on the fibula. The sulcus is deepened by a fibrocartilaginous rim and covered by the superior peroneal retinaculum. In the retromalleolar sulcus at the level of the ankle joint the peroneus brevis tendon lies anterior to the peroneus longus tendon (see Illustration A and B).

Selmani et al provide a comprehensive review of peroneal tendon pathology and its treatment. The three broad categories of peroneal tendon pathology are peroneal tendinitis, peroneal subluxation, and peroneal tendon tears. Often these issues are interrelated and can even be progressive.

Philbin et al also provide a review of the topic discussing that the peroneal tendons are the primary evertors of the foot and function as lateral ankle stabilizers. In their treatment section they mention that lower demand patients may be candidates for nonoperative management, whereas high demand patients will probably benefit from surgical treatment.