Peroneal tendon subluxation is an uncommon injury of the ankle in sports, but it can be very debilitating to the affected patient. A traumatic inversion injury of the ankle, like a common ankle sprain, tears the tissue that holds the peroneal tendons behind the bone, allowing the tendons to slip (or sublux) in front of the lateral malleolus (the bony prominence on the outside of the ankle).

Typically surgery is needed to repair the tissue that holds the tendons behind the bone and prevents the tendons from continuing to snap back and forth over the bone. It can be a fairly debilitating injury if not treated. Most high-level athletes have surgery to fix the problem.

A physician can detect peroneal tendon subluxation by physical exam.

Return to sports can take several months. The surgical repair must heal, and then the athlete has to regain strength and range of motion before returning to sport-specific activities.

Also read:
Ankle injury: 7 common injuries suffered by athletes and active people
Ankle sprain: Mechanism of injury, diagnosis and treatment options

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