Peroneal muscles are two tendons (fibrous tissue that connect muscle to bone) on the outside of your ankle and foot. They travel behind the lateral malleolus – an outward protrusion located on your fibula bone – supplying energy from muscles to bone.
Pain on the outside of your foot and/or ankle when dorsiflexing or everting may indicate damage to either of these tendons – this condition is known as peroneal tendinitis.
What is the Peroneus Longus Muscle?
Peroneus Longus muscle is one of two fibular muscles found on the lateral (fibular) side of a leg and originates at its head and upper two-thirds lateral surface of fibula along with intermuscular septum; occasionally from lateral condyle of tibia. Muscle fibers run towards foot where they coalesce into broad flat tendon which curls behind lateral malleolus before inserting on cuboid bone or, less often, peroneal spine of calcaneus (peroneocuboideus).
Innervated by the superficial fibular nerve, its function is to plantarflex and evert the foot while supporting longitudinal and transverse arches of the foot. Furthermore, myofascial release significantly increases its activity compared to control subjects when conducting toe-tap exercises.
What is the Peroneus Brevis Muscle?
The peroneus brevis muscle is one of the three that comprise the peroneal tendon, located in the lateral compartment of the leg and located just medial to Peronaeus longus muscle. It originates at lower two-thirds of fibula’s lateral surface and forms into a flat tendon which runs down backside behind lateral malleolus bone (outer ankle bone).
This tendon curves downward and forward before attaching to a tubercle on the fifth metatarsal bone, where it becomes an essential muscle for inversion of foot and extension at ankle joint.
This muscle and its tendon can become injured through forceful movements of the ankle and foot that cause tendon overstretching or tear, leading to swelling and pain caused by severe ankle sprains, fractures, inversion-adduction injuries (rolling your ankle), inversion-adduction injuries caused by rolling your ankle backwards; it is also common for low back issues to pinch peroneal tendons.
What is the Fibula Bone?
The fibula is one of the two long bones in your lower leg. It is thinner than its counterpart, the tibia, which serves to bear weight. Together these bones help form ankle and foot joints as well as serve as attachment points for muscles. Fractures to fibulae can occur as a result of twisting or bending forces; typically these fractures do not need surgery unless unstable.
Like its tibial counterpart, the fibula features three main parts: its proximal end (head and neck), shaft, and distal end. The former contains an articular facet for connecting with the lateral condyle of the tibia; this facet is enclosed by an area known as neck; head features anterior/medial borders as well as an area forming the lateral malleolus; distal end is an angular bone resembling a trunnion; distal end articulates with both tibial notches as well as the talus bone of foot.
What is the Peroneal Tendon?
Peroneal tendons are two long tendons on the outside of your leg which attach to muscles known as peroneus longus and peroneus brevis, providing support against any possible foot inversion during running. They play an essential role as they prevent inward rolling (lateral inversion).
These tendons are more vulnerable than usual due to lack of adequate blood flow and density; both factors make recovery from stress or trauma slow, potentially leading to overuse injuries.
Overuse may occur as a result of sudden increases in running distance, intensity or duration; or through unsupportive footwear and/or improper exercise technique; spending too much time standing or walking can also increase overuse symptoms.
Rest, ice, compression and elevation are often recommended treatments, while physical therapy may help improve strength, stability and flexibility through exercises and stretches. When these conservative measures fail to reduce inflammation effectively, steroid injections into the tendon sheath may provide relief – often done under x-ray guidance.
