Overuse injuries in sports, which develop gradually over time due rather than occurring on the spot, account for about 50% of all injuries. Runners are at a particularly high risk for overuse injuries due to the constant impact they put on their bodies from logging so many miles. Peroneal tendinitis is one type of overuse injury that occurs in runners and athletes involved in other sports with lots of running, and it serves as a common source of ankle pain in New York City.
A tendon is a strong, fibrous band of tissue that connects muscles to bones. The peroneal tendons are located in the foot and run as a pair side by side behind the outer bone of the ankle. One attaches to the outer part of the middle of the foot, while the other runs under the foot and attaches near the inside of the arch. The main functions of these tendons are to stabilize the foot and ankle, and protect the ankle from sprains.
Peroneal tendinitis is a condition in which one or both of these tendons become inflamed. This inflammation usually develops as the result of activities that involve repeated use of the tendons, which can cause them to rub against the bone and become irritated. This is why runners—especially those that frequently run on sloped surfaces—and other athletes that do lots of running are at an increased risk of developing peroneal tendinitis.
Increasing the intensity of workouts too aggressively without enough time to recover, having tight calf and/or foot muscles, and not wearing the right shoes during activity can also contribute to peroneal tendinitis developing. If it does occur, common symptoms include swelling and tenderness, warmness of the area when touched, and an aching pain on the outside of the ankle. This pain generally gets worse during activity, when stretching the foot or pushing off the ball of the foot while walking or running.
How we treat this type of ankle pain in New York City
If you start to notice symptoms that may suggest peroneal tendinitis, physical therapy is your best bet to address the pain and improve your condition. Our treatment programs for this type of ankle pain in New York City typically include the following components:
- Manual therapy: these hands-on techniques will mobilize joints in the foot, ankle and lower leg, as well as loosen tightness, increase circulation and relieve pain
- Stretching exercises: your therapist will teach you a set of exercises that are designed to make the foot, ankle and toes move properly, which will help you walk and run more normally
- Strengthening exercises: these exercises will increase the strength of the muscles in and around the ankle, which is important for handling uneven surfaces again
- Functional training: once you improve substantially, your therapist will begin to introduce training designed to help you return to your previous level of activity with sport-specific exercises, as well as education and other recommendations
- Neuromuscular re-education: training the muscles of the lower chain dynamically is important in restoring proper running mechanics to reduce risk of re-injury as one’s sport resumes and progresses
If you’re an athlete of any sort, ankle pain in New York City can be a major hindrance on your ability to remain active and cause you some frustration. Visit us at Dynamic Sports Physical Therapy to get the treatment you need, and you’ll be back out there doing what you love in no time. Call 212-317-8303 to schedule an appointment, or click here for more information on peroneal tendinitis.
